The Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), has conferred a Merit Award on the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun.

The letter of the Award was presented to the Vice-Chancellor during a courtesy call by the Executive Committee of the Ogun State Branch of the Association.

Speaking on the rationale of the Award, the Ogun State Vice-Chairman of ANAN, Prince Wole Adeyanju, said it was in recognition of Professor Balogun’s contributions to prudent financial management and human development.

Prince Adeyanju disclosed that the State Branch was planning to organize its maiden Dinner later in the year and has earmarked the conferment of awards on outstanding individuals, who had distinguished themselves through  good governance and prudency in financial management.

The State Vice-Chairman, lauded the Vice-Chancellor for his support, as it was only UNAAB, in the whole of Ogun State that donated the sum of N100, 000.00 to the Nigerian College of Accountancy, in Jos.

The Vice-Chairman also noted that the University had in the last three years, been able to record unparalleled successes, in terms of physical development, under the current administration, than was achieved in ten years, before the current tenure.

Prince Adeyanju commended the human development initiative of the Vice-Chancellor, particularly on off-shore training while also noting the uncompromising level of discipline and service delivery among members of staff.

Responding, Professor Balogun expressed gratitude to God and ANAN for considering him worthy of the merit award, saying “it pays to be committed and render selfless service to ones motherland”.

The Vice-Chancellor added that there was no hope for the country unless individuals brace-up for attitudinal change and rebrand themselves.  “We believe we can change and change we must”, he noted.

He reiterated that he harbored no regret or apology for his radical stance to give anybody for his activities saying “in our different areas of calling, we are placed there not by anybody but by God, who has a purpose for a particular time. There is an account that all of us must give and it is to God that we have to give it”.

Professor Balogun noted that he was pleased that aside the physical awards which the University had severally earned, he was always pleased that members of the University community were always highly regarded by their peers in other Universities as well as in other arms of the public service.

Professor Balogun said the University’s donation to the Association was borne out of the need to support a body that had contributed immensely to the development of some University staff, in accounting.

He disclosed that in the past, he had turned down several awards but having assessed the ANAN award, it was found worthy of being accepted.