Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has urged the University of Ibadan to continue its mission of excellence and innovation, particularly in addressing the challenges facing the Nigerian educational system, acknowledging the role of the foremost university in shaping the intellectual and leadership landscape of Nigeria.

According to the governor, no one can deny the institution’s rich history of producing distinguished scholars and professionals who have contributed immensely to the country’s development and are still doing so.

This was as the management of UI decorated Oyebanji with the prestigious University of Ibadan UI@75 Ambassador in recognition of his exemplary leadership and outstanding contributions to the development of education, good governance, community welfare, as well as national development.

The governor stated this during the presentation of the award at a brief ceremony at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Kayode Adebowale.

Oyebanji expressed his deep gratitude to the management of the University of Ibadan and the entire university community for the recognition, stating that it was a reflection of the collective effort of the people of Ekiti State and his administration, who had given him a platform to serve.

The governor stressed the importance of education as the key to unlocking the full potential of the nation’s youth and affirmed his administration’s continued support for policies aimed at boosting the quality of education, while pledging to strengthen collaborations with institutions of higher learning, particularly the University of Ibadan, to enhance academic research, innovation, and capacity building.

The governor, who disclosed that he had a sentimental attachment to the University of Ibadan, not only because he did his master’s degree at the university, said that a good number of his family, including his father, wife, and two children, are also products of the premier university. He added that he also met his wife at the university.

While assuring them of his commitment to carry on with his good works and continue representing the institution in a good manner, the governor promised to work closely with the university and other stakeholders to drive initiatives that will ensure sustainable educational growth and development in Nigeria.

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He said: “Let me start on a note of appreciation for the honour done to Ekiti people today. I am extremely grateful to the management and the chairman of the anniversary committee for counting Ekiti lucky to receive this award. I am also grateful to my wife, who convinced me to accept this because this is the first award I will personally receive.

“My family has a long history with the University of Ibadan. I was just telling the VC that my father graduated from UI, I also had the privilege of doing my master’s in UI, and my wife did her first degree there. I also convinced all my children to attend UI, so we had that history with UI.”

Earlier in his remarks, while decorating Oyebanji, the Vice Chancellor said the honour was in recognition of the governor’s visionary leadership, which has led to the implementation of several educational reforms, infrastructure upgrades, as well as the provision of critical resources for schools and universities in Ekiti State.

He noted that the governor’s efforts have had a positive impact on the academic community, not just in Ekiti, but across the nation. This, he said, impressed the management of the university, leading to his choice as an ambassador.

Prof. Adebowale maintained that in less than two years as governor, Oyebanji had demonstrated capacity and redefined governance in the state through his inclusive governance approach, which has mobilised elites, traditional institutions, artisans, women, and youth for the development and progress of the state.