BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

FOR Dr Deji Adeleke, Proprietor of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, which has just been given an operational licence by the Federal Government, is a dream come true.

During the inauguration of the Board of Trustees (BOT) held at Babcock University, Ilishan, recently, he explained that the aim of establishing this university is to educate the total person which requires self-freedom achieved through development of self-reliance of the scientific, creative and critical capabilities of the individual to become economically independent. Also, the university is establish to encourage students to prepare for dynamic and spiritually inspired life of service for humanity within whatever secular occupation they plan to pursue.

L-R, Prof Makinde, Oba Abolarin, Dr Deji Adeleke and others at the event, recently.

“Adeleke University understands its existence not only from the perspective of empowering the disadvantaged to improve themselves and their environments, but also from the standpoint of promoting permanent solutions to the problems of poverty, diseases, hunger, ignorance, social and political disabilities” Adeleke said.

Pastor Tunde Ojewole, who gave the opening prayer at the inauguration of the Trustees, pointed to the potentials, untapped power, energy, strength being released and that Adeleke University must not be allowed to die.

“People hunger for knowledge, good leadership. This university will grow to become a big oak tree. As we’re beginning, God will begin with us, it’s God’s university where young minds are to be moulded for humanity, an instrument to better humanity. Miracles will happen.”

During the swearing-in of the BOT, President/Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Professor James Kayode Makinde, who presided over the ceremony, referred to Dr Deji Adeleke as someone that played great role in establishing Babcock University several years ago.

“He is a planner, organiser and not a noise maker,”adding, “God endowed him with moral, material and spiritual resources for Nigeria.”

Makinde went on:

“We’re standing on the threshold of history, because sometimes what whole community, organistion consider impossible, God can use the resources of one man to achieve. There are countries in Africa without universities, others have but not standard enough…

He recounted how Deji Adekele helped them to access N250 million in the process of establishing Babcock University some years ago, without him (Adeleke) ever knowing that he will establish his own university in the nearest future.

It is like God saying …. “you honour me, I will honour you.”

The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, a lawyer, teacher, journalist, expressed his delight and joy to be present. He recalled their youthful days in Adventist Grammar School, Ede, began in 1960, with the motto: “Building Souls for Service”. So don’t shy away to plant and to germinate.

“Adeleke will remain my son, my teacher in giving, restorer, well cultured, wealthy, disciplined, caring to give humanity an institution like this. He gave to the nation, his wealth not in bank, this enterprise will be successful. So shall it be,” the Orangun said..

The Adeleke University proprietor answered some questions on relating to the following issues.

On quality and infrastructure

This university is already built, fully residential, so that students can all stay in campus, and not take advantage of inadequate accommodation to engage in indecent behaviour.

We know their whereabout, especially the girls not used for parties by unscrupulous politicians.

We have three faculties now — to advertise for vice chancellor, registrar, bursar and librarian. Will start in August, not profit-making, did not borrow any money, will keep standard, grow steadily, move to a permanent site, 2.3km of roads, tarred, with drainages. More 2.5km will be added.

In the next three years, more to the permanent campus.

Presently, we have a small campus with Swimming pools, Arts, Science and Social Science faculties.

On accreditation and academic personnel

Passed accreditation of NUC. It will be coming to look at the personnel. We hire from within and outside. I was privileged to start a bank, knows about the competition to get quality personnel and what to offer.

We are ready to offer and attract the best staff. We want quality. We are not indebted to any bank, so stand to offer quality pay and conditions of service. There is nothing illegal that we are doing. We are getting the blessing of NUC — following the rules to the letter; no approval without NUC.

On Scholarship Scheme for students

We intend to help indigent students. There will be scholarship scheme for indigent students — it is going to be 100 per cent scholarship to include transportation to come to school. But will not be able to give scholarship to all, only those who can’t afford. There will be selection conference — at all the Seventh Day Adventist centres to find out, look at Ordinary Level results, JAMB and conduct our own examination and select the best, purely on merit.

The Scholarship will cover books, room, board, transportation so that their minds will not waste. Will be a challenge to others plus government to do the same. Even if one, it means won’t go to waste.

Like Babcock University, we will have work/study programme to enable students earn, not for them to develop a syndrome of dependency. If you can work, then you disqualify yourself. We have a robust work culture — a factory for making sacs, fertiliser, garri, working in the cafeteria, bakeries and cleaning of roads. I paid my way through college in USA cleaning toilets, etc.

The following persons constituted the inaugural Board of Trustees.

Dr. Adedeji T. Adeleke (Chairman), members are Prof James K. Makinde, Prof Dayo Alao, Dr Esther O. Asekun-Olarinmoye, Dr Grace Adeoye, Mrs. Adeteju M. Adeleke, Mrs Modupe Sanni, Mrs Anne B. Ojeogwu and Elder Ibekwe C. Egbuta.

Others are Pastor Joseph A. Ola, Mr. Wale Adeoye, Dr. Z. A. Babarinde and Chief (Mrs) Olufunke Agagu.