Oba Adekola-Oyelere made the call while speaking at the official launch and groundbreaking ceremony of the Fiditi Study Centre of NOUN which was held at the Fiditi Grammar School Hall, adding that such an effort is an investment in the future.
According to him, the groundbreaking ceremony of the Homeland University marks a day when “we took a collective stride towards the elevation of our society and we are standing poised on the threshold of an even greater era.”
He said that Fiditi as a community has always valued learning as a cornerstone of development and called on his people to reflect on the symbolic connotation of the ceremony.
“Today, we are not merely placing a cornerstone for a university building, we are laying the very foundation of our future; one that promises comprehensive growth, intellectual expansion and socioeconomic elevation for all. I appeal to every homelandian to persist in your sterling efforts to see this venture through its completion in a year by giving generously.
I would like to remind everyone of an adage; An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. Let us invest generously in this project which is the formation of an institution that will endow our community with a wealth that transcends material riches,” Onifiditi said.
In his speech, the Oyo State Governor represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, stated that historically, Fiditi as a town has been thirsty for a higher institution of learning for years “not only because of our love for education but as a way of boosting the dwindling population of the town as a result of looking for greener pastures outside the town.
“I appeal to all Fiditians to emulate our forefathers who established the Education Trust Fund to donate handsomely towards the realisation of this project,” he said.
In his keynote address, the chairman of the NOUN Fiditi Study Centre committee, Prof J.A. Oluokun, urged well-meaning indigenes of the town and Oyo State as a whole to join the noble mission to enrich the educational landscape of Fiditi, adding that, united in purpose, let us match towards the bright promising future, tertiary education in Fiditi is not only achievable but imminent.
“Having the study centre sited in Fiditi will transform our community from abject poverty and degradation to wealth and prosperity. Your voluntary contributions bear extraordinary profound weight. Let us come together to build the falling wall and bring glory back to Fiditi,” he urged.
The program which featured a fundraising, groundbreaking and award for supportive indigenes and organisations, had dignitaries like Pastor E A. Adeboye represented by Pastor Jide Ojurongbe; Mrs Oluwatomi Somefun, MD/CEO of Unity Bank; Rear Admiral Olusegun Egbedina (retd); the Alawe of Awe, Oba Cornelius Taiwo; and Senator Bode Olajumoke, amongst others.
