A 7-man visitation panel to the Caleb University, Imota, has commended Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, for his support and contributions to the development and progress of the institution.
The commendation was made during a courtesy visit by members of the panel to the revered monarch in his palace on Saturday, December 7, 2019.
The panel, which was headed by Prof. Ayodele Sholadoye, the Provost of Bowen University, was on a ten (10) day fact finding mission to Caleb University at the behest of its Proprietor, Prince Oladega Adebogun, and had visited Oba Kabir Shotobi to find out about the kind of relationship that exist between the institution and Ikorodu community.
Member of the panel was led to the Ayangbure palace by the Vice-Chancellor of the Caleb University, Prof. Nosa O. S., and several other principal officers of the institution.
At the palace to support Oba Shotobi in receiving the august visitors were Prof. Kunle Wahab, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Otunba Lamidi Gbadamosi and Mr. Dipo Aridegbe, Proprietor of Tindip Nursery and Primary School, Ikorodu.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the panel, Prof. Ayodele Sholadoye, while addressing Oba Shotobi and others, stated that their visitation to Caleb University was set up by the owner of the university to assist in finding out about the achievements and progress made by the institution between the last visit by the panel in 2012 and now in order to know its areas of strength and weakness and give useful recommendations that would engender progress in its goals.
He said that the visitation was a statutory requirement directed to be carried out every five years by the National University Commission (NUC) and added that their report would be communicated to the commission and proprietor of Caleb University.
Prof. Sholadoye said that his team’s visit to the Ayangbure palace was part of their tasks to enable them know more about the performance and activities of the institution as well as its relationship with Ikorodu community.
He, however, expressed his satisfaction over the warm reception accorded him and his team by Oba Shotobi and his people stating that the gesture indicated that a cordial relationship exist between the institution and Ikorodu community.
Prof. Sholadoye explained that his panel has been briefed about Oba Shotobi’s support and contributions to the development of Caleb University and commended him for his kind gestures.
While corroborating Prof. Sholadoye’s statements, a member of the visitation panel, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye, confirmed that they have noted the enormous support rendered by Oba Shotobi to the instituton financially and materially.
She informed the gathering that members of the panel were delighted by their findings so far while assuring that they have beautiful things to write about the university.
Dr. Ipaye also assured Oba Shotobi that members of the panel would share their respective wealth of experience with the management of the institution to be able to attain greater heights.
Earlier, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, in his own contribution, commended the visitation panel for visiting the Ayangbure palace to know more about Caleb University and added that the institution enjoys cordial relationship with the palace and entire Ikorodu community.
While assuring that the harmonious relationship would be sustained, he urged the management of the institution to always honour admission request from Oba Shotobi for the people of Ikorodu, stating that those that would be presented for admission by the monarch would be qualified candidates.
In the same vein, Prof. Kunle Ade Wahab informed the gathering that there is a committee, headed by himself, saddled with the task of screening students in Ikorodu seeking admission into various tertiary institution through the Ayangbure and other prominent persons across Ikorodu division to ensure their eligibility for admission, urging the management of Caleb University to always reserve a certain quota to be filled by Ikorodu indigenes during admission process and equally assured that only eligible students would be presented for admission.
Also, Otunba Lamidi Gbadamosi, in his own brief contribution, urged the university to remain committed to its social responsibility to Ikorodu division in order to further make its presence felt across the division.
Oba Kabiru Shotobi, in his response, told the visitation panel that the location of Caleb University in Ikorodu division has brought pride to the division due to its achievements and quality education which have gained both national and international recognition.
He explained that the quality of academic, spiritual and moral education being imparted in the students ensures that the institution churns out graduates that are doing well in their respective careers.
Oba Shotobi cited the example of one of his sons who attended Caleb College for his secondary education and now works as an Information Technology (IT) Engineer with Multichoice Company after his graduation from the University, stating that the solid foundation laid for his education at Caleb College largely contributed to his academic success.
He also commended the management of Caleb University for its strict discipline which, according to him, has ensured that no students of the institution has been accused of involvement in cultism and other criminal acts.
While stating that his positive remarks about the institution were not based on bias assessment but true reality, the monarch urged the visitation panel to do a thorough assessment of the university and give recommendations that would further enhance the progress of the school.
In a brief interview with Oriwu Sun, the Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Prof. Nosa Owen’s Ibie, described their visit to the Ayangbure palace as a very important step to further strengthen the relationship between the university and Ikorodu community.
The Vice-Chancellor, who said he was meeting Oba Shotobi for the first time, stated that his interaction with the monarch was very wonderful while he also described him as a warm person with a high level of wisdom.
He added that they have been enjoying a remarkable support from Ikorodu and other communities in Ikorodu division since they commenced operations and added that they would need more of such support to keep the university going.
Members of the visitation panel were: Prof. A. O. Soladoye, FPSN (Chairman); Prof Kolawole T. Jaiyeoba (member); Dr. Abiola Tonado (member); Dr. Lateef Odekunle (member) Bar. Segun Age (members); Dr. Taiwo Ipaye (secretary) and Prof Adewale Sunday Olumuyiwa (member).
Other principal officers of the university present at the courtesy visit were: Prof. Samuel A Daramola (Deputy Vice Chancellor); Mrs. Folake Okon (Registrar); Mr. Josiah Adeyomoye (Liberian); Mr. Adeshina Abubakare (Bursar); Mr. Mayokun E. Olumeru (Deputy Registrar); Mr. J. K. Faniyi (Siwes Coordinator) and Dr. Evis Otob (Public Relations Officer).