Founder Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola, yesterday, flayed some governors’ wives without worthwhile pet projects and who spend their time attending social events.
He spoke in response to a request by the wife of the Ekiti State governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, to support her WAOH Project, when she paid a visit to ABUAD.
Babalola, who made an instant personal donation to the project, promising that the university would donate more in due course, added that he had always respected Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji as the wife of the governor, and would respect her more for her level of achievements in academia.
He said that her contributions to knowledge in her field of Educational Management are being acknowledged locally and globally.
The ABUAD founder said: “You are not that type of First Lady that will be moving about, junketing for ceremonial activities. I have known many governors’ wives, who only attend ceremonies, but you are truly a First Lady.
“You are the first First Lady in Nigeria that I know that will be teaching in a university (while in office). Do you know the effect it will have? Do you know the impact you will be making? This will surely have an impact on students looking at the First Lady teaching them. It will motivate them to learn.”
Earlier, the wife of the Governor offered to serve as a lecturer ABUAD on a part-time basis to impart knowledge on students and give them academic mentorship.
Oyebanji promised to partner the university in terms of providing community service to the institution when needed, as a gesture to give back to the university being an academic herself.
Speaking while being received by ABUAD Founder/Chancellor, Aare Babalola; Vice Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, and other members of the management team, Oyebanji said her gesture would enable her contribute her own quota to the development of one of the fastest growing universities in Africa.
She said she recognised Babalola as a father, a philanthropist and an important stakeholder in Ekiti State, whose support would be needed and appreciated for the WAOH Project, hence the need for the visit
