Adeleke Commissions Four Landmark Projects at UNIOSUN, Installs BOVAS C.E.O as Chancellor
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Monday commissioned four major infrastructure projects at the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) and formally installed the Chairperson of BOVAS Group, Mrs. Victoria Adunola Samson, as the institution’s third Chancellor.
The projects commissioned include a Sports Complex, Science Laboratory Complex, a 1,300-seat Lecture Theatre and an 850-seat Lecture Hall, all designed to improve teaching, learning and research at the state-owned university.
Speaking during the investiture ceremony, Governor Adeleke congratulated Mrs. Samson on her appointment, describing her as a woman of integrity, discipline and proven leadership whose wealth of experience would further strengthen the university.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in education, noting that the sector remains central to the state’s development agenda.
“Our administration remains resolute in its commitment to repositioning education as the cornerstone of sustainable development,” the governor said.
He added “Apart from welcoming our new Chancellor, we are today commissioning another set of landmark projects, including a Sports Complex, Laboratory Complex, a 1,300-capacity Lecture Theatre and an 850-capacity Lecture Hall.
“We are also constructing internal roads at both the main campus and the Ikire Campus, while other academic infrastructure projects are ongoing across our campuses. We are serious about developing this university to global standards.”
Governor Adeleke also paid tribute to the immediate past Chancellor, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, thanking her for her outstanding service, generosity and commitment to the growth of the institution.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Samson, popularly known as Mama BOVAS, expressed appreciation to the governor for the confidence reposed in her, describing her appointment as a call to greater service.
“This appointment is not merely a personal honour but a clarion call to serve my state and join the good work Governor Ademola Adeleke is doing,” she said.
She pledged to use her experience, influence and network to attract strategic partnerships, promote academic excellence and support the continued development of the university.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, commended Governor Adeleke for what he described as unprecedented support for the institution.
According to him, the governor’s administration has consistently approved requests that have improved staff welfare, expanded infrastructure and enhanced academic development.
Professor Adebooye disclosed that the university has grown from 649 students and 19 academic programmes at its establishment in 2007 to more than 42,000 students offering 108 academic programmes.
He said the sustained investment of the Adeleke administration had positioned UNIOSUN among the leading state-owned universities in Nigeria.
The event was attended by senior government officials, members of the university’s Governing Council, traditional rulers, captains of industry, academics, students and other distinguished guests.