Founder, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo, Mr Michael Ade.Ojo, said he has spent N45bn on the institution.
The Elizade University in its 12th year seeks to be globally competitive, producing entrepreneurial, innovative, and ethical graduates.
A statement by the Executive Special Duties, Mr Stephen Ogodo, in celebration of Ade.Ojo’s 86th birthday, today, explained that he had kept to his promise of nurturing Elizade University to maturity by providing funds for infrastructural development.
He said, “Funding is the major challenge facing Nigerian universities. However, the founder of the University has kept to his promise of nurturing Elizade University to maturity by providing funds for infrastructural development. Mr Michael Ade.Ojo has spent over N45bn on the university project. His unwavering support has enabled the university to move at the desired developmental pace with valuable impacts on the immediate community and Nigeria as a whole.”
Ogodo explained that Elizade University, which was licensed by the Federal Government on February 28, 2012, opened its doors to the first set of students on January 6, 2013, saying the university was driven by a strategic developmental agenda, which was embedded in the vision of the founder.
“These include the engagement of high-quality faculty members to complement goal-driven students and leveraging on the infrastructural endowment of the University for Excellence. This carefully drafted agenda has continued to drive the university towards the attainment of its vision and mission as evident in the various feats it has recorded within the short period of its existence,” he said.
While speaking on his philanthropy activities, Ogodo said at 86, Ade.Ojo had affected positively all and sundry who came across his path, especially the underprivileged and the senior citizens.
“Michael Ade.Ojo’s legacy projects at 86, today, the company which Chief Michael Ade.Ojo started with just one support staff in 1971, Elizade Nigeria Limited, has become a conglomerate with several subsidiaries amongst which are: Toyota Nigeria Limited, Elizade JAC Autoland (distributors of JAC Cars and light trucks), Mikeade Property Development Company Ltd, Mikeade Investment Company Limited, SMT Nigeria Limited (Distributors of Volvo Construction Equipments, Volvo Trucks, and Mack Trucks in Nigeria). He also built a motor vehicles assembly plant in Lagos, Nigeria, and one of the best golf courses in Nigeria (Smokin Hills Golf Course, Ilara-Mokin).
“In a nutshell, all his employees celebrate him because Chief Michael Ade.Ojo is like a father to all his employees. He hardly sacks his staff except on exceptional cases when the violation touches the core values and principles of the organisation. MR TOYOTA is a living legend, a teacher, a mentor, and a gentleman to the core… We celebrate you, Sir!”
