The memory of former vice chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, came alive as Zenith Bank Plc named the iconic building housing its branch and the UNILAG Alumni in his honour last Friday.
In his opening remarks at the event, the group managing director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc and chairman of the Body of Banks’ CEOs in Nigeria, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, lauded the founder and chairman of the bank, Jim Ovia, for being physically present at the commissioning of the building to honour the memory of his late friend (Ibidapo-Obe) who served on the board of Zenith Bank as a non-executive director, and for his passion for youth education and digital learning.
Speaking at the commissioning of the building, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, noted the huge contributions of Zenith Bank and, in particular, Jim Ovia, who he described as a father to the development of Nigeria.
In his address, the national president of UNILAG Alumni Association, Dr John Momoh, thanked the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank as well as the management of the bank for the magnificent building and Mrs Sola Ibidapo-Obe for accepting the association’s request to name the building after her late husband as a lasting legacy in his honour.
He encouraged everyone to take good care of and maintain the building to serve the university community for years to come.
In her remarks, the vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of Zenith Bank to the development of the school and promised to work with the alumni association to ensure that the facility serves not only the alumni but also the entire students populace.
