Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State  on Tuesday in Ibadan inaugurated  an e-library and  administrative block built by the   Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  at the Technical University (TechU) in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports  that the  university  located on the Ibadan-Lagos expressway is an initiative of  the Oyo State Government.

Speaking at  the inauguration, Ajimobi expressed  appreciation to the board and management of CBN for the donation, promising that the facilities would be put  to good use.

The governor said the institution will offer  degree programmes  of international standard through collaboration with relevant global institutions.

“Our vision is to be a world-class institution for technical studies that are anchored on entrepreneurial practices, innovation and commitment to international best practices.

“We plan to produce exceptional graduates who are not only socially conscious but technically competent enough to turn around the fortunes of the state and Nigeria,’’ he said.

He stated that no government could  single-handedly bear  the huge responsibilities of providing qualitative education.

The governor  said  partnership in repositioning the education  sector  in the state was desirable and appreciated.

The CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele,  said  that the country  was experiencing acute shortage of high quality and world class educational institutions.

Emefiele, who was represented by Mr Adebayo Adelabu, CBN Deputy Governor, Operations,  said that this  shortage informed the surge in the number of Nigerian students going abroad to seek quality education.

“This has implications for the demand for foreign exchange and supply of qualified personnel to support the productive capacity of the country.

“Our primary mandate at CBN includes maintenance of price and exchange rate stability, functional and stable financial system, effective payment system and credible currency.

“We have a responsibility for development financing through regular intervention in critical sectors of the economy of which education is one to bridge the manpower and infrastructural deficits accumulated over time,’’ he said.

He urged the beneficiaries, including staff and students of the university,  to make use of the buildings and derive the full benefits for which the project was intended.

“I want to take this opportunity to express the hope that the university management will adopt the necessary maintenance culture to keep the buildings and equipment  for many years.

“Government cannot fund education alone. The private sector equally has very important roles to play.

` Tertiary institutions are supposed to be the drivers of research and innovation relevant to industry and commerce,’’ he said.

The Pro-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, on his part,  described  the e-library as  one of the best in  the world.

“We intend to work very hard to ensure that the minimum achievement of any student must be second class lower.

“ We are going to run the university as a scheme of 12 programmes,’’ he said.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi,  and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji,  in their  remarks,   commended  the governor for establishing the university.

While Adeyemi said that the governor had  planted a legacy that would linger for many years, Adetunji, who was represented by High Chief Lekan Balogun, described  the institution as  a great innovation. (NAN)