By Raphael Okhiria
Former Military Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) and former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, were on Friday among the important dignitaries that attended the 25th anniversary of Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), which is the first privately owned university in Nigeria.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, specially commended the vision and uncommon courage of the founder and Chancellor of the University, Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, on the establishment of the institution.
The former Nigerian leader, particularly expressed pleasure over the unparalleled achievements IUO have recorded in the history of private University education landscape in Nigeria.
According to him, “Igbinedion University is doing very well, and that gave the impetus for other investors to key into the establishment of other private Universities.”
Also speaking at the 25th Anniversary, a former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) who was instrumental to the establishment of the first private University, expressed happiness for the progress being made by the institution.
He proudly asserted that Igbinedion University Okada, has immensely contributed to the growth and development of Nigeria in almost every sector.
Abdulsalami congratulated the founder of Igbinedion University, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion for the foresight to pursue a Private University licence 25 years ago, noting that the university is contributing its quota to the development of the country.
But in his remark, the Founder of Igbinedion University Okada, Chief Dr. Gabriel Igbinedion, who spoke through the Institution’s Deputy Chancellor and former Governor of Edo State, Chief Dr. Lucky Igbinedion, commended Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) for giving approval for the establishment of the first private university 25 years ago.
On his part, Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University Okada, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye said the University commenced its academic programme in the 1999/2000 session and since then, the University has without interruption upheld its resolve to return tertiary education to internationally accepted calendar of September to June.
“The student population has grown steadily from 115 at inception in the 1999/2000 session to over 5000 in 2023/2024, while the staff strength has increased from 55 in 1999/2000 to 823 made of 308 Teaching staff and 515 non-teaching staff.
“Following the presentation of Certificate No.001 to establish Igbinedion University to Sir Chief (Dr.) Gabriel Igbinedion on 10th May 1999, the date 10th May has been adopted as the University’s foundation day. Consequently, the maiden celebration was marked in May 2005 and at the same period in the subsequent years.” Ezemonye said.
Other eminent personalities at the 25th Anniversary include, High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, His Excellency, Shri.G. Balasubramanian and Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC)University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Adesina Ayinde, and former Governors of Delta and Akwa-Ibom state, James Ibori and Obong Victor Attah respectively.
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