Oyo govt commends College of Agriculture staff for donating building

The Oyo State Government has commended a Staff of Oyo State College of Agriculture (OYSCATECH), Igboora, wife and children who are Indigene of Igboora for donating a block of four offices to the institution barely, three months after the official inauguration and handing over of N15.7 Million Naira worth of Staff building donated by Ibarapa Staff Indigene working in OYSCATECH.

The donation was made by the former Head of Agricultural Technology Department, Dr Oluseun and Mrs Aderonke Oladoyinbo and children on Thursday, September 19.

The official inauguration which brought indigenes of Ibarapa, including past and present management of the institutions together could be described as a symbolic reunion, with the presence of Professor Gbemiga Adewale, the former Rector, Mr. Isiaka Adekunle, former acting Rector, Dr. Ariyo Okunlola, former Deputy Rector and Dr. Sarafa Agbogun, the immediate past Bursar.

Other dignitaries include; the parents of the Donors, Chief Hezekiah & Mrs. Olubunmi Oladoyinbo, Snr. Apostle Emmanuel & Mrs. Alice Oyelade, Chief Kolawole Salako Olanrele (Great Mother), Pastor M. Afolabi, Hon. Sola Adeleke, the Executive Chairman, Ibarapa Central Local Government who was ably represented by Hon. Atilola, Pastor Ayobami Oladejo, Regional Overseer, Mountain of Fire, Cardiff, United Kingdom.

Others are: Alhaji Abdullahi Alayande, former Council Member, Very Rev. Olu Ade Famose, Presbyter, Methodist Church Nigeria, Igboora Circuit, Deans, Directors, Heads of Teaching and non-Teaching Departments, Staff, Students and a host of others.

Delivering his speech at the official commissioning and handing over of the Agricultural Technology Staff office Building, the Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, who was ably represented by the Director, Higher and Continuing Education, Mr. Oluwole Adewale described the donation of office building by a staff of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora as exceptional and commendable.

According to him: “it is uncommon that a staff who receives meagre salary could conceive the idea of donating office building. I sincerely commend you, your wife and children for your act of generosity. May God Almighty repay you in multiple fold?”

Commissioning the project, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Abiodun Oluwaseun (Laurel) described the donation by Dr. Oladoyinbo and his family as laudable which symbolises his commitment and dedication to educational advancement, patriotism and contribution to community service. He noted that he has succeeded in putting his footprints on the sands of time, while noting that such gesture speaks volume of what the future holds for him.

The building was thereafter inaugurated by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Projects. The Building is named after Dr.  & Mrs Oluseun Aderonke Oladoyinbo.

The OYSCATECH Rector, Professor Akinola Akinlabi and the Dean, Faculty of plant Science showered encomium on Dr. Oluseun and Mrs Aderonke Oladoyinbo for their generosity which had started contributing to the growth and advancement of the institution.

According to the Rector, the building was part of the facilities presented to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for the recently conducted accreditation exercise and the institution got NBTE approval of the programmes.

In his goodwill message, the former Rector, Prof. Gbemiga Adewale described the commissioning of the building as a special moment in the history of the institution.

According to him: “for me, it is a day filled with immense pride. We are gathered here to celebrate the generosity of Dr. Oluseun Babatunde Oladoyinbo and his family. I deliver this goodwill message first as a former undergraduate supervisor, mentor, and friend of Dr. Oluseun Babatunde Oladoyinbo.

“I regularly teach certain virtues to students. When my students expressed appreciation for my kind gesture, my ready reply was, “Try and do likewise any time you have the opportunity to affect lives.” I taught my former students generosity.

“Seeing someone I once mentored rise to such heights and make such an impactful contribution is humbling and inspiring. This building is a tangible symbol of his journey—a journey marked by dedication, resilience, and an unwavering belief in himself and the power of education, and his commitment to the community,” he said.

Other past management including Mr. Isiaka Adekunle, Dr. Ariyo Okunlola and Dr. Sarafa Agbogun commended the donors for the unique initiative while praying God to repay him and his entire family in multiple folds. They noted that the initiative is a testament to many things to come in OYSCATECH.

In his speech, Dr. Oluseun Oladoyinbo on behalf of his wife and children said, “This project is indeed a divine gift, facilitated through our humble efforts but fundamentally made possible by God’s grace. As Psalm 127:1 profoundly states, “Except the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain that build it.” We take no pride in our contributions, for without God’s unfailing support, this endeavour would not have reached fruition. We are merely stewards of His provisions; it is not through our wealth but through His provision that this building was erected.”

Dr. Oladoyinbo described the commissioning and handing over as a day of profound gratitude to God for turning our vision into reality, which signifies the testament to His faithfulness and provision.

In his words, “Reflecting on the tripartite roles of being a lecturer, that is Teaching, Research, and Community Service, I am proud to have dedicated myself predominantly to Teaching and Research over the past twelve years. Today, with the donation of this office building, I am pleased to say that I have fully realized my commitment to Community Service as well. This project represents not just a physical structure but a fulfillment of my role in serving and contributing to our community’s growth and development.

“We firmly believe the office building donated to the Department of Agricultural Technology, a foundational programme in OYSCATECH—will significantly enhance our polytechnic community.

“This facility will provide a stable administrative base for the Head of the Department and other staff members, fostering a conducive academic and excellent administrative environment.”

He expressed gratitude to the Visitor to the Institution, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde for his unwavering commitment to the education sector in Oyo State by prioritising staff welfare across tertiary institutions in the state.

Dr. Oladoyinbo appreciated the Hon. Commissioners for education and Agriculture, former Rector, Professor Gbemiga Adewale, who employed him as staff, he thanked the former Management, led by the then Acting Rector, Chief Isiaka Adekunle, for supporting the idea by generously allocating land for the project and Dr. Sarafa Agbogun for recommending the project to the then acting Rector. He appreciated his Sponsor and mentor, Deac. Folarin Afolabi, retired Head of Local Government Administration for recommending him for employment in OYSCATECH, while thanking the Chief Lecturers and Stakeholders in AGT department, for their encouragements.

Also, he appreciated the Rector, Professor Kehinde Akinlabi for his efforts, sacrifices, and dedication to the success of the commissioning as well as stakeholders who assisted in the building design and supervision of the project as well as the initial building committee members.

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