The Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has appealed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embrace dialogue and jettison the idea of embarking on another strike action.
Speaking in Osogbo yesterday at the official commission and handover of Bola Babalakin Guest House to Fountain University, Osogbo, the Sultan lamented the precious time of numerous students wasted on account of the recent protracted industrial dispute between the union and the federal government.
While commending the Babalakin family of Gbongan who built the edifice, the referred monarch called on wealthy Nigerians to emulate the family by complementing government efforts by rendering support to citadels of learning adding that no government can single handedly fund education for all.
Welcoming high profile personalities at the event, Dr. Wale Babalakin noted that the idea of the project was conceived during the lifetime of his father, the Hon. Justice Shehu Tijani Bolarinwa Babalakin when His Eminence, the Sultan was the guest of honour at an event in Fountain University where he charged well to do individuals to support the school.
Babalakin revealed that the house was built to complement their father’s serious passion for education because Justice Bola Babalakin sought to educate everyone around him adding that for any discerning person in the education sector, it is very clear that Government at all levels, as structured today, cannot singlehandedly fund education.
He pleaded with the university authorities to maintain the project adding, “This project is donated to the University on the clear understanding that the University continues to maintain financial discipline and probity in its affairs”.
While commissioning the project, the state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola reiterated his administration’s commitment to quality and functional education in the state.
This according to him was demonstrated in his administration’s massive investment in the education sector and innovations brought into education policy of Osun State.
He commended the Babalakin family for their philanthropic gesture extended to the university with a clarion call on other well- meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture.
