Embrace education as character formation tool — Prof Yusuf Ali

A former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of Osun State University, UNIOSUN, Professor Yusuf Ali, has urged the university community to embrace education as a tool for character formation rather than mere certification.

He made the call on Tuesday as a guest lecturer at the maiden Folorunso Alakija Annual Lecture held at the university auditorium in Òṣogbo. The lecture was titled, “A Life of Impact and a Legacy of Service: Lessons from Apostle Folorunso Alakija.”

He noted that Apostle Folorunso Alakija took her assignment as Chancellor of UNIOSUN seriously, describing her contributions as enduring and impactful.

According to him, “Her philanthropic efforts reflect a moral commitment to giving,” adding that her investments in the university stand as lasting legacies. “If Apostle Alakija had been thinking the way many of us think, she would not have contributed a dime to UNIOSUN’s development.

“Let ambition be guided by purpose, let resilience transform adversity into growth, and let integrity anchor achievement.”

Governor Ademola Adeleke thanked Apostle Alakija for her service and announced the appointment of a new Chancellor, Mrs Victoria Adunola Samson.

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, described Apostle Alakija as a blessing to the university and a diligent, down-to-earth woman whose tenure brought significant development to the institution.

Providing an overview of her achievements, Adebooye disclosed that the number of Bachelor of Science programmes increased from 39 to 66 during her tenure and later rose to 138 under his administration.

“The student population grew from about 10,000 to 14,290 during the tenure of a former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Labode Popoola, and has now reached 42,980. Apostle Alakija contributed N250 million of her personal funds towards the N350 million dual carriageway project within the university,” he said.

In her remarks, Apostle Folorunso Alakija expressed gratitude to the university community for their support throughout her tenure.

She attributed her accomplishments to divine grace, saying, “I thank God that I said yes at the beginning and for all those who supported me on this journey, including my husband and children.”

In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Princess Omolola Oyinlola described Alakija as a rare Amazon and a woman of excellence.