New university opens in Edo:Samuel Adegboyega University (SAU)

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has officially opened a new university located at Ogwa, Esan West Local Government Area of the State. Known as Samuel Adegboyega University (SAU), the new private university is owned by The Apostolic Church, LAWNA (Lagos, Western and Northern Areas) Territory, and is named after Samuel Adegboyega, the first LAWNA Territorial Chairman and one of the founding fathers of The Apostolic Church (TAC), Nigeria.www.mannastores.com

This brings to five the number of universities in the state. The others are University of Benin; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Igbinedion University, Okada; Benson Idahosa University, Benin and the new Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa.

Mr Oshiomhole, who praised authorities of the institution for establishing the university in a rural community, noted that it required courage, determination and wisdom to insist that a university be located in a rural community. He promised to facilitate the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy of the University and waived all rates for the issuance of the C of O.

"I am encouraged by the fact that the church has demonstrated that Nigerians, particularly the Christian community through private effort, contribute to the development of our educational sector. You have demonstrated the fear of God and demonstrated your love for humanity," he said. "If every Nigerian reasons the way The Apostolic Church has done in identifying rural communities and recognising that rural communities need development, our people will not be migrating to urban areas and there will be even development in the country."

Chancellor of the University, Gabriel Oladele Olutola, said the Board and Governing Council are engaged in resource mobilisation and providing a policy framework as well as supervisory leadership to make the university attain the high standard expected of a world-class university. Mr Olutola, who disclosed that the institution was not indebted to any bank, said facilities such as two hostel blocks, cafeteria, academic blocks, senate building were built through donations from members.

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Bisi Ogunjobi, said the host community will witness huge transformation in its economy.

Providing broad education

Mr Ogunjobi said the philosophy of the varsity is to provide broad-based education that will mould younger generation, develop their potential in their chosen academic disciplines for self-reliance and significant contribution to national development. He noted that the university will take-off with three colleges.

Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the institution, Samson Fola Adedoyin, promised to run an administration that is transparent, focused and all-inclusive.

"My vision is to build solidly erected foundations in colleges, faculties and departments and to progress the structures and the content," he said. "We will be proactive and push for a higher level of language competency; make our students computer-literate across all disciplines and improve curricular contents that will empower them and send them to the world with self-confident state-of-the-art knowledge, skills, values and attitudes."

Source:234next