Why Cornfield group partners Bowen University ― Chairman

CHAIRMAN of Cornfield Group, Dr. Tope Agbeyo, has explained reasons the conglomerate is collaborating (and in which areas) with Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.

Cornfield Group comprises Botosoft Technologies Ltd, Media Concept Ltd, Cornfield Transnational Ltd and FOAM Studio Nigeria Ltd.

Agbeyo, in a conversation with Tribune Education, shortly after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the university at the corporate headquarters of the group in Lagos, last Friday, said, the interest of the group was to sharpen the knowledge and skills of students of the university in information and communications technology.

By this, he said, the group would give practical knowledge in form of internship programmes away from normal theoretical classroom work to the students and make them well equipped ahead of graduation for competitive global market.

The gesture, Agbeyo, an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Birmingham City University, United Kingdom, noted, is part of the group social initiatives to impact the society by contributing to human capital development, the education sector and the nation’s economy at large.

The Ekiti State- born businessman, who decried what he called high moral decadence among children and young adults in the country, however, urged the university to make good use of the internship opportunities.

He also promised that the group would assist the university in other areas of needs that the company is capable of.

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Speaking earlier, the Vice-chancellor of Bowen University, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, who led a team comprising Dr. Kayode Ogunleye, Dr Humphrey Okereafor and Mrs Foluke Ayuba, the university’s registrar, chaplain and director of institutional advancement and corporate affairs, respectively, said the ongoing re-branding by the university to make it technologically-driven in both its academic and hostel environment as well as making the students highly ICT-complaints, had necessitated the partnership with the group.

He said Bowen University, a faith-based institution, is known for quality teaching and learning, research and community service.

“And while we do all these, we also inculcate moral values and the fear of God in our students,” he added. “Because that is the only way they can become relevant to themselves, families and the society.”

The VC, who also announced that Agbeyo and some other individuals would be decorated as the university brand ambassadors at its convocation ceremony this Saturday, said he believes that the partnership would not only be mutually beneficial and sustained, but would also have strong impact on the students, the university and by extension, the society.