By Olasunkanmi Olajide, Joy Adeyiga & Femi Dansu
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji Land, who assumed duties on campus on July 15, 2024, revealed that the dam in the University was the largest he has seen in any Nigerian university.
During a Familiarisation Tour of the University’s facilities, the highly revered monarch expressed his admiration, even as he commended the University Management for the diligent maintenance of the dam.
The University’s 8th Pro-Chancellor highlighted the significant investment of both effort and finances that went into its construction and maintenance.
Commending the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor acknowledged his relentless efforts to fulfil the dreams, vision, and mission of FUNAAB’s Founding Fathers, despite various challenges.
Passing a remark on the dam’s impressive capacity of 7 billion litres of water, the Pro-Chancellor noted that with proper management, the dam could become a tourist attraction, facilitating aquacultural activities.
According to him, the aquatic products from these activities could generate substantial income for the University.
He urged the University Management to ensure the continuous nurturing of the dam, emphasising its potential to serve the immediate University community and beyond.
At the next stop at the Institute of Human Resources Development (INHURD), the Pro-Chancellor described the Institute as a university within a University.
He suggested that the Institute should consider introducing Diploma and Certificate programmes to boost the University’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Commenting on the access road from the main campus to the Institute, the Pro-Chancellor assured that improvements on the road would be prioritised.
He appreciated the University Management for their harmonious and diligent efforts to ensure the smooth running of the University.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde expressed his gratitude to the Pro-Chancellor, noting that FUNAAB has become an integral part of Iragbiji Land.
He appreciated the Pro-Chancellor’s homecoming and acceptance of FUNAAB as part of his domain during an interactive meeting at the Green Chamber.
Prof. Kehinde expressed his joy at the Pro-Chancellor’s maiden visit, praying for God’s wisdom to guide His Majesty in leading the University to an enviable position.
He expressed confidence that, by the grace of God, FUNAAB would flourish during the Pro-Chancellor’s tenure.
Meanwhile, the Director of INHURD, Prof. Sheriff Adewuyi, welcomed the Pro-Chancellor and other Governing Council members to the Institute, highlighting the Institute’s two major programmes which were the JUPEB and the Pre-Degree Programmes.
