FUNAAB AT IWE IROYIN
In continuation of the contributions of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), towards easing the societal pains caused by the lockdown to curtail the spread of COVID-19, the Vice-Chancellor and his team extended gestures to more staff, journalists and residents of Egbaland through the Alake on April 27, 2020. The Vice-Chancellor first appreciated the contributions of Health Services’ workers with FUNAAB products, including face masks made by a FUNAAB 400L student (not an alumnus as earlier reported). He provided more face masks for FUNAAB Secuity Officers.
Their next port of call was Iwe Iroyin House at Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, where, in a similar way he distributed University’s palliatives to the members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that the University came to Iwe Irohin to identify with the journalists at this difficult times, as a reputable University of Agriculture.
He went down the memory lane by stating that on April 22, 2020 the University started this palliative program with some members of staff. According to him, “We were with FUNAAB-Harmony Police Division and at the Ogun State Police Headquarters, at Eleweran”. This initiative of support for the Police on COVID-19 that day was novel and was highly appreciated by the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State.
The VC concluded by praising the laudable role of Journalists too, in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. On behalf of all the journalists, the Chairperson of the Caretaker Committee, Ogun State Chapter, Mrs. Omolola Adeyinka, thanked the VC and his team, while gladly receiving the gifts.
FUNAAB at AKE PALACE
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, on April 27, 2020 called on public institutions and well-meaning Nigerians to take after the kind gesture of FUNAAB by reaching out to the poor during this COVID-19 lockdown. He stated this when the Vice-Chancellor and his team paid him a courtesy call, to support the efforts of the First Class monarch in assisting some vulnerable Egba people and residents of Abeokuta during these harsh times, caused by the lockdown to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
The Alake expressed his appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and his team for using the knowledge generated in FUNAAB for the development of communities within and outside Egbaland. He noted that the made-in-FUNAAB products being presented as palliatives, point to a functional University. According to Kabiyesi “Whenever FUNAAB staff acquire knowledge through research, such should be applied for Community Development, which FUNAAB is well-known for. This is further attested to through the extension activities of FUNAAB in the southwest of Nigeria. We are happy when we celebrate with each other when things are good;we should be able to be there again for each other when things turn the other way round as well”.
The Alake further stated that the Coronavirus pandemic must be of concern to everybody. Those earning daily income cannot do so because of the lockdown, despite, the majority among them being very low-income earners.
In the words of the Alake of Egbaland “There are people who will not eat the following day if they earn nothing the previous day. Those who live from hand to mouth”. These must be assisted and supported. He commended the University for the laudable gestures during this hard time.
Kabiyesi also appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for donating, personally, on behalf of his family towards helping the needy, praying that God would continue to take the University higher. The Alake also prayed to God to put an end to the pandemic, saying that in no distant time we would all rejoice that Coronavirus has gone.
