Governor of Akwa Ibom State and 1988 Alumnus of the University of Lagos, Mr. Udom Emmanuel on Friday, November 25, 2022, performed the formal commissioning of the Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe House situated on the UNILAG campus, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.
The unveiling of the edifice which is also to be known as the Zenith Bank/UNILAG Alumni building marks a milestone in immortalizing the name and legacies of the ninth Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG and first alumnus to be so appointed, late Emeritus Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State acknowledged the reputation of the University of Lagos as a foremost leading light in capacity building for national development.
The 1988 UNILAG Accounting graduate also showered encomium on the UNILAG Alumni body for living up to its expectation as a strategic partner in the pursuit of growth and development of their alma mater.
He described the Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe House as a win-win for the UNILAG community, the Alumni body and Zenith Bank.
While congratulating Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, on her appointment as the 13th Vice-Chancellor and the first woman to be so appointed, the Akwa-Ibom State helmsman also used the opportunity to assure her of the goodwill and support of the government and people of Akwa-Ibom state.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, saluted successive National leaders of the UNILAG Alumni for the thoughtfulness and milestones so far contributed towards the growth and development of UNILAG over the decades.
While appreciating the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, CFR, alongside other members of the UNILAG Alumni body for their support and contributions to UNILAG over the decades, Prof. Ogunsola reaffirmed her readiness to increase engagements with the alumni body and improve on the current alumni relations by enhancing students’ campus experience.
Earlier in his remarks, National President, UNILAG Alumni worldwide, Dr. John Momoh, MON, described the ceremony as one which showcases the association’s commitment towards promoting economic prospects in UNILAG and its environs.
The building, according to the Chairman, Channels TV also marks part of efforts to preserve the cherished legacies of the late Emeritus Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe.
The Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe House according to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu is another product of a long-standing relationship between successive managements of UNILAG and Zenith Bank.
Mr. Onyeagwu recalled the ICT Laboratory and the 3,500 units of I-pad donated to UNILAG by Zenith Bank as well as the Honorary Doctorate Degree conferred on the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, CFR, during the university’s 50th Convocation Ceremonies, milestones which he said, marks the bank’s commitment to the principles of responsive banking.
The edifice, according to the Zenith boss, is a Green building, it sits on a 950 square metre land space and has a total of 1,665 square metre of offices out of which the UNILAG Alumni as co-owners of the building, will own 555 square metre offices.
In her response, the widow of the honouree, Chief Mrs Sola Ibidapo-Obe adjudged the ceremony an opportunity to appreciate the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, for the loyalty, support and commitment to the Ibidapo-Obe family even before the demise of Emeritus Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe.
She was also full of gratitude to the UNILAG Alumni for the honour describing it as a testimony of undying love which her late husband epitomizes.
Mrs. Ibidapo-Obe solicited support towards the establishment of the Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe Institute of Technology to institutionalize her late husband’s dream of promoting Technology, Education and Research.
Highpoint of the colourful ceremony was the official commissioning of the edifice by Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State who was flanked by other dignitaries including the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, CFR.
Emeritus Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe was a professor of Applied Mathematics and Systems Engineering. He was Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG between 2000 and 2007, the first alumnus to have served in such capacity and the longest-serving Vice-Chancellor in UNILAG’s history.
He breathed his last on Sunday, January 3, 2021.
