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Tag: ABUAD

  • ABUAD, AfDB partner on multimillion industrial park

    The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) Aare Afe Babalola has expressed confidence that the Industrial Park to be constructed by the institution with the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) will change the economy of Ekiti State.

    Babalola spoke while playing host to a team of AfDB officials and other Nigerian commercial banks who are partnering with ABUAD to carry out the Industrial Park project.

    He said AfDB is supporting the project which he described as a “unique collaboration between the university and the industrial sector”.

    According to him, the Park, when completed, will turn Ekiti to a “reputable industrial belt in Nigeria”.

    Babalola expressed delight that the collaboration has shown that ABUAD has become an acceptable international brand and that what is happening in the university is being followed all over the world.

    He explained that this would be the first time AfDB would co-sponsor a project of that magnitude in a private university in its 54-year history.

    Coordinator of the Industrial Park project, Prof Adeyemi Aderoba, disclosed that 80 acres of land have been acquired for the park, adding that the feasibility study and environmental impact assessment had been conducted.

    The professor of Industrial Engineering said the university is developing drones and robotics to be moved to the Park which he said would have the best technology to aid commerce.

    The head of AfDB delegation, Ms. Sylvie Mhieu, said the visit was a follow-up to an earlier one in March to learn more and verify what they had read about the university.

    She explained that there was need to return again with a stronger team to continue the assessment and get a deeper understanding of ABUAD’s plan and how the AfDB could help achieve the goals with the support of Nigerian banks.

    On proposed grant to aid the project, Mhieu said: “The bank right now is looking at $40 million loan. The conditions are among the reasons we are here to thrash out the ABUAD team.

    “We are a development bank and you should expect that the conditions would be much better than those of the commercial banks.”

    On her assessment of ABUAD, Mhieu said: “Just like Chief Afe Babalola said, ABUAD does things differently.  It is not only a university; it is also a teaching hospital, it’s a farm and so on. ABUAD is a university that’s always thinking outside of the box and that is interesting.

    “We are impressed by the innovations and by the creativity and also that one of the high fives of the AfDB is improving life of Africans and the best way to do that is through education.”

  • ABUAD celebrates award-winning alumnus

    ABUAD celebrates award-winning alumnus

    Legal icon and founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, (SAN), rolled out the drums last Friday to celebrate an alumnus of the university, Mr. Olamide Popoola, for putting the institution on the world map.

    Popoola, a 2015 Petroleum Engineering graduate, and two undergraduates from Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo (Adekunle Adepoju), and Babcock University (Jennifer Ikeokwu), made up the Nigerian team that won the Category 1 Award for “Authenticity on Brand, Relevant to target audience and drives talkability and shareability (A.R.T)” in the 2016 Unilever Ideathrophy.

    This is coming six months after ABUAD’s Team LifeWatch, the inventor of AsthmaVisor, emerged fourth out of the five teams nominated for Microsoft Imagine Cup Ability Award in the 2015 edition of the contest in Seattle, United States. They showcased the potential impact their project could have on the lives of people with disabilities.

    Popoola was received like a star with cheers from workers as he made his way into the Alfa Belgore Hall of the university, venue of the event.

    Popoola’s race to stardom started when someone told him about the competition, which focuses on students finding intelligent solutions to business problems last May. He got shortlisted and was given the first business challenge with his randomly selected team mates to create a model for marketing Rexona, an anti-perspirant deodorant produced by Unilever with Nigeria as a focus. The trio scaled the hurdle to the semi finals in Nigeria on October 21, 2015, the day Popoola graduated from ABUAD. This feat qualified his team, then christened ‘Team Apex’, and another group, ‘Team Blueprint’ to represent Nigeria in the Africa Idea Trophy Contest (AIT 2016) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    In South Africa, Team Apex, competed against the best minds from South Africa, Kenya and Ghana to proffer the best solution on Rexona Class of confidence.

    Renamed ‘Team Nigeria’, the trio won the ticket alongside ‘Team South Africa’ to represent Africa at the global semi finals that featured 30 countries, including the U.S., United Kingdom, Pakistan, Malaysia, Portugal, Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Egypt and Costa Rica.  It survived and proceeded to the global contest in the United Kingdom, where it won the award.

    Popoola said participating in the contest opened a floodgate of benefits for him, Team Nigeria, ABUAD, and the country.

    He said: “We were made to compete against people who were far more experienced than us – with some already running their master’s programmes in business-related areas, and yet we emerged African Champions and the eventual overall global champions.”

    He added that the Team’s success put ABUAD on a global spotlight as a reputable institution for grooming quality graduates.

    He believes that his achievement would inspire others to key into the dream and vision of the Founder to become the best they can be.

    Popoola thanked Babalola and the entire ABUAD community for the honour done him.

    After his national service, Popoola plans to do a Master’s in Renewable Energy, and then a Ph.D.  He also plans to create employment opportunities for others.

    As he progresses, he pledged to collaborate with the university on ideas that can help improve the fortunes of the institution.

    Lauding Popoola’s achievement, Chief Babalola urged other students to emulate him.  He added that the institution had surpassed its expectations in its six years of existence.

     

    Olofintila, ABUAD’s Head of Corporate Affairs, writes from Ado-Ekiti

  • ABUAD alumnus wins global laurel

    ABUAD alumnus wins global laurel

    Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) Founder Aare Afe Babalola has said he spent $246 million to build the institution.

    Babalola spoke at the weekend at a reception in honour of an alumnus, Olamide Popoola, who excelled at the Unilever Future Leaders League, held in London, United Kingdom.

    Popoola, along with his counterparts from Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State and Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State, won the Unilever national competition in Lagos before winning the continental edition in South Africa, which qualified them for the global edition, which they also won.

    Popoola is a graduate of Petroleum Engineering.

    Students from 30 countries participated in the grand finale with the Nigerian team winning the No 1 category award for “Authentically on Brand, Relevant to Target Audience and Talkability and Shareability”.

    Babalola said he was proud of Popoola and others before him, adding that their outstanding academic accomplishment was proof that his investment was not a misplaced priority.

    The eminent lawyer, who is a former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, said he has no regrets for his huge investment in ABUAD as long as he realises his dream of building human capacity through quality education.

    According to him, ABUAD remains the only institution that runs Talent Discovery Centre where students are made to discover their areas of proficiency early.

  • ABUAD partners ADB on hospital

    ABUAD partners ADB on hospital

    The Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) is seeking the support of the African Development Bank (ADB) to equip its teaching hospital complex.

    ABUAD Founder Aare Afe Babalola said the university is entering into a partnership with ADB to install the best diagnostic facilities at the hospital to provide the best medical services in the country.

    Babalola explained that the project, when completed, will reduce frequent medical travels abroad by Nigerians.

    He spoke yesterday when he hosted an ADB delegation led by Principal Private Sector Specialist, Emmanuel Akinwumi. Other members of the delegation are Ousmane Fall and Dr. Soumendra Kumar Dash.

    The ADB team visited the site of ABUAD Teaching Hospital on Ado-Ikare Road for an on-the-spot inspection.

    Babalola said: “We want to partner with ADB for further development of this great hospital and their coming here is historic because there is no evidence that they had visited any private university before.

    “The partnership is aimed at financing the remainder of this project. On paper, we have spent N2 billion but we need a minimum of N6 billion from ADB to procure equipment alone. We are looking for about N8 billion for this place.”

     

  • ABUAD targets $2.5m agric grant

    ABUAD targets $2.5m agric grant

    Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) is seeking a grant of $2.5 million from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to stimulate commercial agriculture in rural communities in Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

    ABUAD and the partners – Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and ABUAD Farms – are proposing 36 months implementation period.

    ABUAD Founder Aare Afe Babalola spoke at the weekend, when he hosted an IFAD team led by its President, Dr. Kanayo Nwanze.

    Babalola said the project is targeted at development of in-house enterprise and infrastructure for training of millions of youths in the two countries.

    The ABUAD founder said the project would also lead to a 40 per cent increase In agribusiness enterprises and income generation for over 750,000 youths, who are students and non-students in Nigeria and Benin Republic.

    He added that over 500,000 rural and urban agribusinesses will have access to trained youths in agribusiness and over 200,000 new mini agribusiness enterprises private sector will emerge using starter-pack funds that will be provided to trained youths.

    Nwanze said the potential of agriculture to develop the nation’s youth was high.

    He harped on the need to invest in the younger generation.

    While saying the ABUAD proposal fits into IFAD framework, Nwanze said it would be included in the 2017 pipeline since that of 2016 had been completed, adding: “What ABUAD is doing is laudable”.

    The IFAD boss, who said importation of food into Nigeria was unacceptable, said: “the trend has to be reversed and the only opportunity is our young ones. We have to give hope to the young people”.

  • ABUAD raises panel to probe riot

    ABUAD raises panel to probe riot

    The management of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State, has inaugurated a panel to investigate the February 7 riot staged by some students.

    The university has called for written memoranda, containing suggestions, before or on Friday.

    Property worth N120.5 million were destroyed in the unrest in which about 200 students participated.

    A statement yesterday by the Ag Director, Information and Communication Technology, Bayo Ogundipe, named a security consultant and former Chief Security Officer of the University of Ibadan, Tuyi Bello, as the sole investigator.

    “We seize this opportunity to thank the parents of the responsible 5,800 students who did not participate in the unprovoked and grossly unnecessary act of vandalism,” the statement added.

    Twenty two students are facing trial before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court for their alleged complicity in the mayhem.

    While six of them have been granted bail by Chief Magistrate Soji Adegboye, 16 of them have been remanded in Ado Ekiti Prison custody.

    They are facing charges of burglary, arson and attempted robbery brought against them by the Police.

     

  • ABUAD riot: Parents beg Afe Babalola for mercy

    ABUAD riot: Parents beg Afe Babalola for mercy

    •’We don’t want our children to go to jail’

    Parents of the students of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State, accused of participating in the February 7 riot have begged the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola, to “temper justice with mercy”.

    At a meeting with the university authorities at the weekend, the parents went on their knees, wept and expressed sadness at the level of damage done by the children.

    The parents gave an undertaking to collectively write a letter of apology to the police, Ministry of Justice and the court. They said they are ready to render financial and other assistance.

    Speaking on behalf of the affected parents, Mr. Niyi Ogungbuji commended the superlative works being done by the founder to pioneer excellence and innovation in education in Nigeria.

    He said the parents were in the university to condemn what the students had done and to plead with the founder and management to temper justice with mercy.

    At this point, the multitude of the parents who were received in the Owolabi Hall all went on their knees, wailing and begged Babalola to assist them by withdrawing the matter from court and treat it administratively in the university.

    Ogungbuji said: “Baba, we have gone round and we have seen the massive

    damage done by the students. We are not happy about it. It is most unnecessary and most uncalled for.

    “We sent them here because of the excellence you are known for. Certainly, we did not send them here to destroy what you have selflessly put together to better their lot.

    “Baba, please, we are begging you to help us withdraw the matter from the police and treat it administratively at the university level. Baba, you know it that if these children are sentenced to jail, that will be their end. They cannot be anything worth the while again in this country.

    “But we know that this is not your plan for them. It is on this ground that we are begging you to help us withdraw the matter from the police and penalise them the way the university deems fit, including expulsion.

    “We will be more comfortable with that. That is our prayer. That is our plea. Baba, please, we are begging you.”

    Responding, Babalola who was visibly moved by the outpouring of emotions by the parents said: “My dear parents, I sympathise with you. I feel for you. Certainly today is a sad day. This is something that should not have happened. I set up this university to improve the lives of your children and make them better than I am. We will try to see what we can do to make all parties happy.

    “Many of you here know that my classroom education stopped in primary school, but I worked hard, made money and invested it here to change the face of education. Look at what I am getting in return. I could have used my money in some other ways.”

    Babalola, however, made it abundantly clear that the cases of brazen arson, burglary and stealing were entirely criminal. The Supreme Court had decided that the university has no power to entertain or try students who commit criminal offence such as burglary, arson, stealing, attempted murder etc.

    The founder said upon the receipt of the parents’ letter admitting the commission of the crime and apologising to the university, copies of which must be sent to the Ministry of Justice and the Inspector General of Police, the university would see what it can do to ensure that the children do not end up in jail.

    Babalola later went round to hug and shake hands with the parents and consoled those who were still weeping, said the university will await the letter of apology from the parents and then decide on the next line of action to take.

  • ABUAD students destroy school property

    ABUAD students destroy school property

    •N10m cash ‘stolen’, shops looted

    STudents of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State, went on rampage on Sunday night, destroying property worth millions of Naira.

    The university authorities claimed that the riot was carried out by students with poor grades, who were not prepared for the ongoing examination and were afraid of possible expulsion

    By the time the crisis cleared yesterday morning, the rioting students reportedly stole N10 million  at the cafeteria and destroyed about 20 vehicles.

    A grey Toyota Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked ADK-327 AG and a grey Toyota Corolla marked LSR-684 BH were overturned.

    Worst-hit was the College of Engineering building where facilities worth millions of Naira were destroyed.

    The hostels were also not spared as doors, windows and louvres were shattered.

    They also looted the boutique, gift shop, swimming pool and destroyed many other facilities at the Talent Discovery Centre.

    The security post was also attacked with eight motorcycles belonging to the guards vandalised.

    Porters and cleaners were attacked by the students.

    Cleaners were seen clearing the shattered louvres while workers at the gift shop were reorganising the place.

    The police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials stood guard at various locations on the campus.

    The Nation gathered that some of the suspects arrested had been whisked to the police station; the newly-arrested ones were kept inside a police truck parked in front of one of the hostels.

    A source claimed that the situation degenerated on Sunday night when some policemen drafted in to quell the unrest reportedly shot into the air to disperse the students.

    One of the students was said to be wearing a military camouflage, which led to questions from the security operatives who wanted to know how he came about the military fatigue.

    The students after being temporarily dispersed were said to have regrouped later and a riot ensued thereafter.

    The source said: “The students, who carried torches, were running upon and down, singing war songs and what followed was smashing of anything in sight.

    “They came here (cafeteria) and stole N10 million cash being the proceeds from the sales made in the week and they also looted our drinks.

    “The money was stolen from the office of the accountant, which was also badly damaged.

    “The crisis started about 9pm on Sunday and it was God who saved us from those students.”

    The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, who visited the campus to sympathise with the founder, Chief Afe Babalola, described the attack as “premeditated and well planned”.

    Oba Adejugbe said: “There was no part of the university that was spared. This is not an attack carried out by 10 or 20 students.

    “This is an attack long planned and premeditated and we are calling on relevant authorities to investigate it.

    “We heard that an argument broke out at the cafeteria but this does not mean that they should destroy and loot university property.

    “Why will they be destroying equipment being used to teach them?”

    ABUAD’s Head of Corporate Affairs Tunde Olofintila said: “There were some skirmishes on campus on Sunday night.

    “The said skirmishes were engineered and orchestrated by those who are not doing well academically and who are not prepared to improve.

    “It must be emphasised here that the university’s first semester examinations, which began two weeks ago, are to end this weekend.

    “But rather than continue with the examination, those with low academic grades, some of whom did not have clearance certificates for the first semester and/or who did not register for the examination, went on rampage and in the process vandalised some university’s property, the cost of which is being assessed.

    “We want to assure all parents, well wishers and stakeholders that the situation has been put under control with people going about their business.”

  • 65 get First Class at ABUAD convocation

    65 get First Class at ABUAD convocation

    Seven hundred and thirty-six students of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, (ABUAD) graduated yesterday at the institution’s third convocation.

    The university produced 65 First Class graduands and 339 bagged Second Class (Upper Division).

    Two hundred and fifty-eight graduated with Second Class (Lower Division) and 74 made Third Class.

    Four dignitaries were honoured with honorary doctorate degrees at a colorful ceremony at the Alfa Begore Hall on the university campus.

    The honorees are former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega; former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola; Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Most Rev. Matthew Kukah and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

    Jega received honorary Doctor of Public Administration, Justice Ayoola bagged honorary Doctor of Law, Bishop Kukah and Oba Adeyemi received honorary Doctor of Letters.

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, in his remarks at the ceremony, said his administration would always support ABUAD and the vision of its founder to be one of the biggest education brands in the world.

    Fayose, who described ABUAD as one of the biggest taxpayers in Ekiti State, said his administration has initiated an airstrip project to complement the institution.

    He promised to provide enabling environment to make ABUAD flourish.

    The university’s founder and chancellor Aare Afe Babalola revealed that he turned down ministerial appointments offered by four Nigerian presidents.

    Babalola, who also spoke at the convocation ceremony, said his refusal was not out of pride but the conviction that his law practice was enough to make him comfortable and contribute to national growth.

    He said much pressure from former President Olusegun Obasanjo later made him to accept to serve as pro-chancellor and chairman of Council of the University of Lagos.

    The senior lawyer said he accepted to serve on the council on the condition that he would not be paid salaries or allowances throughout his tenure.

    Babalola expressed regrets that many Nigerians were unwilling to contribute to national development, urging them to shun greed and be contented.

    He explained that the rot as well as state of financial recklessness he met at the University of Lagos spurred him into establishing a university

    He urged well-to-do Nigerians to invest in quality education for Nigerians, describing the sector as a very “serious and expensive exercise”.

    The university’s chancellor thanked parents and guardians for their belief and faith in the institution.

  • Ajisafe appointed ABUAD VC

    Ajisafe appointed ABUAD VC

    Prof Micheal Ajisafe would be presiding over the third convocation of the six-year old Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) as the substantive Vice Chancellor.

    The Board of Trustees and the Council of ABUAD, has equally directed Ajisafe, the first professor of Sports Science in Africa, to resume having been in acting capacity for 21 months following the expiration of the tenure of ABUAD pioneer Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sidi Osho.

    Equally, the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Yekini Lawal, has been appointed Ajisafe’s Deputy (Academics), while the Provost, College of Law, Mrs. Smaranda Olarinde, is the Deputy, Administration. They have assumed office with immediate effect.

    Rising from a meeting of the Council of the University in Ado-Ekiti, its Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof Iyorwuese Hagher, said Ajisafe, a foundation staff of the university, was deserving of his new designation “in appreciation of his scholarship and immense contributions to the growth of the university since its inception in 2010.”

    Until his appointment as Acting VC last year, Ajisafe had doubled as DVC and the Provost, College of Sciences.

    After obtaining a PhD in Sports Science from Temple University in Philadelphia, U.S.A, Ajisafe returned to Nigeria and joined the University of Ife (Adeyemi College of Education) where he pioneered the establishment of the Department of Sports Science.

    He taught in the UI between 1975 to 1977 before he moved over to the University of Benin (UNIBEN) where he also pioneered the establishment of the Sports Science Department and was equally made the Head of Department and later Dean of Education of UNIBEN for six and three years respectively. For five years, he was Director at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) Lagos.

    Among his notable achievements in all his years of University assignments, was the formulation of a standardized curriculum of Sports Science for Secondary Schools in Nigeria for the West African Examination Council (WAEC). He initiated linkage agreement between the University of Benin and the Temple University, Philadelphia, thus bringing Temple’s M.Ed Degree Programmes to UNIBEN.

    Ajisafe is a member of very distinguished Academic and Professional Associations in Sports Science across the globe.

    Lawal, a pioneer staff of ABUAD, is a professor of Business Administration. He was the pioneer Acting Provost of the College of Social and Management Sciences and the pioneer Director of Academic Planning.

    Lawal, who obtained his Masters and Doctor of Philosophy of Business Administration from the University of Benin after his HND (Distinction) in Mechanical Engineering from Yaba College of Technology. He specialises in Operations Research and Quantitative Analysis. His research focus is on production and investment generation.

    He is a registered member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and other professional bodies.

    Olarinde is a Reader and Fellow of Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies and currently the Acting Provost, College of Law of the University. She has put in about 30 years of service as a teacher, academic, researcher and legal practitioner. Little wonder the Council of Legal Education described her as a hardworking and highly focused person.