Asiwaju Solomon Kayode Onafowokan, Chairman of Coleman Wires and Cables, the largest cable manufacturer in West Africa, has donated a building to the College of Postgraduate Studies at Bells University, in Ota, Ogun State.
The newly commissioned Coleman Wires and Cable Building, named after Asiwaju Dr S.K. Onafowokan, was formally opened on the 22nd of April, in a ceremony hosted by former Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who is also the founder and proprietor of Bells University.
Dignitaries in attendance were Otunba Fashawe, Chief Ozey Chukwu, and Mrs. Bola Oguri-Ande, who joined in to celebrate this milestone. Stakeholders of the university who also witnessed the grand event include the Board of Trustees, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Bart Nnadi, and members of the Governing Council.
In his opening remark, Obasanjo expressed his gratitude for the donation. “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to my dear brother and friend, Asiwaju Dr. Solomon K. Onafowokan, whose generosity and vision made this magnificent edifice a reality for Bells University. Your contributions to this community institution are a testament to your success, and we are grateful for your commitment to positively impacting countless lives,” he said.
Demonstrating his fulfilment, the Chairman of Coleman Wires and Cables, gave a speech, spotlighting the collaborative effort maintained in actualising the building project. He stated, “I express my profound appreciation to Bells University Management for their unalloyed co-operation, co-ordination, and supervision as well as selfless efforts of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jeremiah Ojediran, COREN, FNSE, FNIAE alongside works and physical planning departments throughout the whole duration of the construction of the project.”
The collective effort on the facility was aimed at providing a hub for knowledge, innovation, and leadership, promoting a community of scholars and change-makers.
Speaking on the donation’s impact, Professor Ojediran, the Vice Chancellor of Bells University, also took to the podium, highlighting the significance of the building to the college and students. “Today, we are not just opening doors to a physical space, we are unlocking opportunities for growth, learning, veritable contributions to the universe of knowledge, and community building. We open up a platform for world leaders to emerge, for ideas to flourish, and for positive impacts to be made. This building is a testament to the power of philanthropy and the impact that one person can have on the lives of many” he explained.
The Asiwaju Dr S.K. Onafowokan, Coleman Wires and Cable Building, will provide a conducive learning environment for postgraduate students at Bells University. This donation is a testament to Coleman Wires and Cables’ commitment as a company, to community development, and investing in the educational journey of Nigeria’s future leaders by extension.
