Achievers University honours alumni, parents, stakeholders; celebrates 15 years anniversary

In what was termed another history in Owo City where the Nigeria headquarter, Abuja temporarily moved to Owo at the weekend where Achievers University honoured her distinguished alumni, some parents, stakeholders and friends of the University. 

The great honour and special compliments took place at a special banquet and dinner held to mark the fifteenth year anniversary of the Institution on Friday, 9th December, 2022 at the new 2500-seater capacity University auditorium. 

Fifteen distinguished alumni were selected out of many of the alumni across the globe to mark the fifteen years anniversary. It was very remarkable that the University has a track record of her products out in the labour market and entrepreneural world. The awards were presented by Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission. 

Those honoured are Mr. Morounfoluwa Arodudu who is the President of the Alumni Association (Economics 2010/11 set) who works at the National Space Research and Development Agency; Mrs. Temitope Esther Ogunsakin, (Economics 2011/12 set) Sapphire Land International School, Lagos (Diction Coach); Rev. Canon Ayoola Ayobami Adedeji (Computer Science 2010/11 set), Canon in residence at Irele Anglican Diocese (Anglican Clergy); and Miss Lawal Biliqees Olasubomi (Accounting 2019/20 Set), an Analyst at KPMG Nigeria.

Others are Mr. Akinpelu Moronkeji (Medical Laboratory Science 2012 Set), Lecturer at UNIMED, Ondo; Mr. Wisdom Otaru Oniwon (Biochemistry 2014/15 Set), a Lecturer at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba; Mr. Wisdom Otaru Oniwon of 2016/17 Set, a Relationship Manager (Corporate Banking) at Ecobank Nigeria; Miss Ifeoluwa Olajide (MLS 2016/17 Set), a Scientist at FMC, Owo; Mr. Samuel Oluwafunmbi Ifabumuyi (Medical Laboratory Science 2016/17 set), staff of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Abuja; and Mr. Olumide Stephen Obanla (International Relations 2014/15 Set), a Faculty Officer at UNIMED, Ondo. 

Other distinguished alumni who also made the list of honour include Dr. Temitope Oluwalade (now PhD holder,  (Economics 2010/11 set), a Revenue Officer at Internal Revenue Akure; Mrs. Folasade Funmi Olorunsola (2016 and 2020 B.Sc. and MSc respectively, Accounting), Chief Executive Officer at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo; Dr. Victor Usunobun Imagbe (Accounting 2015),  Bursar of UNIBEN, Edo state; Mr. Rasaki Olatunde Olaowo (Accounting 2015/16 Set), Deputy Bursar at UNIBEN and another valiant woman Mrs. Vivian Omolara Mezie Oscar (Business Administration 2017/18 and 2019/20 B.Sc. and MSc respectively),  CEO Mozvian Consult, an Entrepreneur; a Brand Consultant with Longrich Bioscience International (PhD ongoing@AAUA).

It would be recalled that Achievers University was founded and established by a great and dynamic owo-born legal luminary, a one-time banker, and an industrialist, Hon. Dr. Bode Ayorinde in 2007. While giving his opening remarks and complimentary message during the banquet, Bode Ayorinde gratefully acknowledged the great impact of the alumni in the Institution and lauded their efforts. While presenting the award to Mr. Arodudu, the Alumni president, Ayorinde extoled the virtues of the President and his viable team for good leadership roles played.

In the same banquet, fifteen special friends of the University were also selected to receive the University honour through the Council Chairman and Pro-chancellor of the University, Hon. Barr. Dr. Bode Ayorinde. "These are great men of conscience, who by prayers and support threw themselves into the Achievers University to see the success till date", Ayorinde remarked. 

The special friends include HRH Oba Kokumo Olotupa Alale, the Alale of Idashen land, Alhaji (Dr.) Disu Sule, Hon. Ch. S. S. Adenegan, Arch. F. O. Falola, Mr. Femi Obisesan and Prof. Adola popoola. Others that made the special list are Prof. Mrs. Eticulus, Ch. Mrs. Toyin Olakunri, Ch. Olayide Adelami, Mrs. Funso Aladesanyi, FMC (Federal Medical Centre) Owo, Adaba FM Radio, Ch. Mrs. Odeyemi, and Mr. Stephen, the builder who constructed almost all the buildings in the University.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders who are pillars of Achievers University were equally honoured. "The University being a joint venture, beside me, when you talk of Achievers, these are financial stakeholders who are making things work out", the Pro-chancellor retorted! These honourable men and women include Senator James Kolawole, Hon. S. Tapere, Oba Olateru Olagbegi dynasty, Mr. Ogborudu from Delta, Hon. Mrs. Ayorinde, Ch. Mrs. Toyin Olakunri, Arakunrin Oduanyo Akeredolu and host of others. Both the stakeholders and friends of the University received royal handshakes and their awards from His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III. 

The event did not end without remarkable memory for the Staff of the University who dignified themselves through hardworking, dedication to duty and commitment as they were singled out for award recognition. They filed out to receive handshake from the Federal Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami. They were Dr. Taiwo Adenegan, Mr.  Yusuf Taofiq, Mr. Ojo Olawoye, Dr. Mrs. Daniels, Dr. Bisi Oduwole, Mr. Boye Moronkeji, Prof. A. I. Ayodele, Prof. S. O. Oyewole, Prof. Oduola Orifowomo, Dr. Niyi Oyekanmi, Mr. Samson Ojeme, Mr. Boye Moronkeji, the University Deputy Bursar. 

The high point of the convocation ceremony is the fundraising time when significant donations were received from the alumni of the University. Some members of the Alumni Association made personal donations to the University. Dr. Victor Imagbe, an Alumnus, who is the Bursar of University of Benin, donated a sum of N200,000 in support of Achievers University at the 15th year foundation anniversary while Alhaji Rasaki Olatunde Olaowo FCA, an alumnus and deputy Bursar UNIBEN, donated some series of ICAN professional books to the university library. He also pledged N50,000 in total sum with 25,000 each annually to the best graduating student in Financial Management and Best student in Advanced Taxation.

Earlier, the Alumni Association, in identifying with the University at fifteen, committed to the tune of N2.5M to install CCTV camera in the University premises besides the Alumni's commitment to entrepreneurial development on campus.

Indeed, another remarkable feature of the event is the special recognition and honour given to 23 parents who have contributed immensely to the growth and sustenance of the Institution by sponsoring a minimum of three students in the University. Some of them have their children and wards sponsored or being sponsored. The list did not exclude the Dean of the Owo Anglican Cathedral, the Very Revd Raphael Agboola, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Oso, Apostle David Bamgbola, Rev. Canon & Mrs. Bayode Oladimeji among others.

In his words, Hon. Ch. Solomon Adenegan, while speaking on behalf of the special friends of the University, lauded the esteemed virtues of Hon. Dr. Bode Ayorinde and his leadership style as council chairman and Pro-chancellor. Ch. S. S. Adenegan encouraged the founder of the University to continue with his vision and that God together with citizens of Owo land and other well wishers are with him.

Many noble citizens and special guests were in attendance. Among the dignitaries are Prof. Isa Pantami, Prof. Samuel Aje, the University Chancellor, Rev. Canon Bayode Oladimeji, the Registrar of the University, Oba Kokumo Olotupa Alale of Idashen, Kabiyesi His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunoye III, Dr. Ahmed, Prof. Olutayo (Bowen University), Prof. Ayo Korede, VC Trinity University, Dr. Olufemi Olisan, Chairman Trinity University and host of others. The popular Owo cultural musician, Ch. Mrs. Bola Ojotu treated guests to special musical display. The Achievers University musical band was not also left out as the hall atmosphere was charged by their talented display. 

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