The Chancellor of Augustine University, Mr Femi Otedola, has donated the sum of N3.7bn for the construction of an Engineering Faculty building at the varsity. The donation is the second phase of his promise to build a Faculty of Engineering for the university.
Chancellor, Augustine University
Recall that in 2023, the philanthropic oil magnate donated the first phase of the Faculty building complex also running into billions of naira. This was as he supplemented the tuition fee of all students in the university by one million naira each.
Speaking at the sixth convocation of the university, Mr. Otedola, having been satisfied said with the completion of the first phase of the project, promised that the second phase would be completed within 12 months.
Meanwhile, as the Chancellor, he has admonished the graduating students to see education as more than a tool for personal success but as a platform for service to humanity. ‘Remember that character is as important as knowledge. Your degree is not just a symbol of your academic achievements – it is a testament to your commitment to learning and to living a life of integrity. You are entering a world that needs your skills, your ideas and your leadership. But more than that, it needs your character. It needs people who will stand for what is right, who will use their knowledge to solve problems and improve lives and who will lead with compassion and empathy’.
Also speaking, the Catholic Bishop of Lagos Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr Alfred Adewale Martins, said Augustine University mission is to form a total person in each student. ‘In our fast-paced world, the concept of education often revolves around the concept of acquisition of knowledge, skills and degrees. However, as a Catholic university, we recognise the fact that education is not merely about intellectual development, it is more about forming individuals who are well rounded, morally grounded and spiritually enriched’.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Odetunde, thanked the various individuals, including Otedola and corporate bodies that have been supporting the university. Prof. Odetunde thanked Otedola for the donation of the Faculty of Engineering complex and Chief Stephen Bakare for donating the Faculty of Law Complex. He disclosed that new hostels were being built by members of the Church of Assumption, Falomo and Our Lady of Perpetual Help and thanked them for their support.
The convocation lecturer, Dr. Peter Bamkole, spoke on ‘Rethinking economic rebirth in Nigeria through youth entrepreneurship.’ He noted that it has become imperative that youths should acquire skills that would set them apart and be sought after in the labour market.