The determination and quest of the founders of Adeleke University Ede, for an institution that will be a pace-setter and reference point in Nigeria, nay Africa, cannot be over emphasized. Adeleke University Ede, will for years to come, continue to be the first destination of choice for students across the globe, as it is presently being witnessed. The University management is focused on the quality of education provided for the students as well as their individual and collective moral growth, to make it live up to its motto of: “Education, Character and Excellence”.
For a first time visitor to the university’s permanent site, along Ogberin road, a picture is painted as to whether you are in Harvard, Oxford, Yale or Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Nothing was done in half measures. First class standard was employed in putting up gigantic architectural master-pieces that are home to different faculties, the Senate Building, the magnificent student halls of residence for male and female, the eye-popping library, the state-of-the art cafeteria and the wonderland – called the staff quarters, are second to none.
Talk of the network of asphalt roads around the campus and the well constructed drains, they are just super. The network of roads, I suggest, should be named after prominent Nigerians. The greenery, that dot the Adeleke University main campus, is a reflection of the deep thought of the founders, that academic excellence thrives best in a purely natural environment. Approaching the campus from the University gate, visitors would marvel at the imposing elegant building that is home to the Senate.
Adeleke University Ede, prides itself with functional faculties, that are well equipped and meet the requirement of the National Universities Commission (NUC). It has gained accreditation for courses in Engineering, a school of performing art, with a first-class 1500-seat auditorium, which I refer to as the RED CHAMBER. The performing art building also houses the institution’s internationally acclaimed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre, as well as a temporary medical centre. There are also the Faculties of Arts, Basic Science, Business and Social Sciences and Law. All of which give all round educational excellence to students, who are carefully chosen to be the best and brightest future leaders.
The halls of residence for male and female students have rooms that are ensuite, with maximum of three students in a room. In my opinion, the female hall of residence should be named after the late wife of the founder, Dr Veronica Imade Adeleke of blessed memory as a form of immortalization. In these days of epileptic power and water supply, the promoters of Adeleke University have ensured, that each of the gigantic multi-storey buildings, that serve various purposes, are each provided with two or more industrial bore-holes and MIKANO generating sets, of between 320 and 1000KVA capacity, which gives 24-hour uninterrupted supply to these amenities and ultimately makes the provision from the national grid a standby, instead of the other way round. The cafeteria provides nourishing meals for the students and the workers. A full-fledged medical centre is also under construction.
Investigations reveal that the founder, Dr Adedeji Adeleke, is not resting on his oars as far as attracting the best teachers to impact knowledge to the students is concerned. Adeleke University Ede, could be said, without mincing words, that it has more than its fair share of professors, where other state and private universities could not boast of two professors. This was made possible due to the conviction of the eminent world-class lecturers that they have a conducive environment and facilities to work with. It is on record, that some internationally renowned professors and doctoral holders are falling over themselves to relocate from universities abroad, to partake in the success story of the university. Who wouldn’t?
For instance, a 450 staff quarters, made up of 3 and 4 bedrooms bungalows, are feverishly under construction in a strategic location in the University, 100 of which have so far been allocated. What’s more, a sporting arena, that will be home to an Olympic-size football field and swimming pool, gymnasium, Tennis court and other indoor games are in the pipeline to make for the relaxation of the students, the workers and their families.
At the thanksgiving and dedication service of the main campus on April 1, 2016, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, was full of praise to God Almighty, describing the fruition of the Adeleke University as God’s own project, which was divinely ordained, as he could not make claim to have had any other strength in getting the university this far other than the grace and mercy of God. Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, therefore, enjoined all stakeholders in the university, to put God first in all their undertakings. The Pro-Chancellor may fight shy of it, but the fact should be expressly stated, that his workaholic nature, never-say-die spirit, resilience, coupled with high ideals for the university, were factors that propelled Adeleke University to its present enviable height.
In his speech at the thanksgiving service, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwole Amusan, praised the Pro-Chancellor for establishing the institution to assist many under-privileged young men and women to access university education.
Apart from committing the affairs of the university into the hands of God, private security arrangements have been put in place. There is no location on the campus, as vast as it is, that you wouldn’t find stoutly-built and well trained security men in place, armed with their walkie-talkies and Altisan Dogs, keeping vigil. The activities of these eagle-eyed security men, who are always on motorised patrol, is complemented by hidden CCTV Cameras mounted at strategic places in the university campus. Therefore, mischief-makers and intruders had better have a rethink, as their activities would be promptly detected and dealt with appropriately.
The first convocation of the University held on September 6, 2015, saw the conferment of honourary Doctoral Degrees on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Justice Alfa Belgore (retd) and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, as well as the installation of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke (CON), as the first Chancellor of the university. At the occasion, over 300 students were awarded first degrees.
Definitely, the Adeleke dynasty of Ede has taken a deep plunge into the waters of educational excellence and swam to safe shores. This great dynasty has further put the name of Ede in the world map, as they are planning the second phase of the university, which will accommodate the College of Medicine and Faculty of pharmacy. The former mini-campus will also be put into some other meaningful use.
