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Founder/Chancellor, Maj Gen. Dr. S.A AWOSANYA Tells The Story
Alethia University is a new private University in Ago-Iwoye. On Saturday 20th January 2024, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, commissioned this newly established Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye. Governor Abiodun, while speaking at the event, said Nigeria needs more universities to tackle the problem of access to tertiary education in the country. He lauded Gen Awosanya for his vision to establish the university; saying that the state government will also partner with the university and assured that the state government will construct the road leading to the university’s campus.
In his welcome address, the founder of the university, Maj. Gen. Sansadeen Awosanya [rtd] said the school was established with a vision to be a world class institution in a unique learning environment, noting that graduands from the institution would receive both academic and entrepreneurial certificates.
Maj. Gen. Awosanya, lamented that Nigeria’s education has remained stagnant and still operating the system left behind by the colonial masters. He added that Aletheia University is poised to produce graduates with innovative minds who are morally sound and equipped to become professionals and employers of labour in the future.
“I cannot but thank our respect and kindness personified Governor, for the exciting and warm reception he accorded us on our recent visit to his office. I pray Almighty Allah to continue to lead your political journey.”
“We thank you for the rehabilitation of Isamuro-lgan-Oke Odo road in Ago Iwoye.
“We also thank you for constructing the hitherto jinxed, Ilisan-Irolu-Ijebujesa-Ago Iwoye road. It has rubbed positively on the commercial activities of the affected areas, Ifelodun Constituenncy and Ijebu Igbo. The said roads are befitting and of international standard. We are not ashamed to ask for more, sir!
“Standing before you is Maj. Gen. Sansadeen Adebanjo Awosanya (rtd], not just as the Founder and the first Chancellor of Aletheia University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, but as a proud son of this vibrant community, driven by the conviction that Education is a powerful catalyst for desired positive changes. Aletheia, derived from the Greek word for TRUTH, embodies our commitment to unveiling a new era in learning that transcends the conventional norm of education.”
“I want to scratch a long story on the surface, as there is no enough time and I don’t want to bore you.
“I had wanted to establish an international college when I bought two pieces of land from Shala family some decades ago. One bad opportunity derailed my ambition. I became financially flat thereafter. When I became stable years after, it dawned on me that I would not be able to exude my passion the way I would love to. I have an unwavering passion for education that will impact on humanity.”
“Realising that establishing a secondary school may not achieve my desired impact on humanity, I opted for a Skill Acquisition Centre where my immediate environment in particular and Nigerians in general, will be able to teach and learn various trades and vocations. That option also died on the table of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), who advised I should upgrade my dream to establishing a Polytechnic. The foundation for a Polytechnic was laid with prayers by the Ebumawe,
Professor Kamaldeen Balogun, Alhaji Abdu-Fatai Agbolade Ogunlana and Alhaji Aliu Adelaja. That was before I called to brief my friend, Professor Saburi Adesanya who advised against establishing a Polytechnic, stressing government policy somersault as his reason.
He advised I should go for a university. I vehemently disagreed with him, but he stood his ground offering to help as much as I would like him to. I complained about cost and approval processes. He said he would follow up. He went to Abuja and obtained the Application form for me to fill up. It was later I refunded his expenses.
He set up the Technical and Implementation Committee of which he was Chairman. We appointed membership of the Committee to include professionals and academia whose functions are to come up with the Master Plan, Academic Brief and Law of the university.
We needed more lands to satisfy a requirement of National Universities Commission. Kabiyeesi Ebumawe had to come in to explain to some people why they should sell their lands for the good purpose, as all indigenes, male and female, young and old will benefit from the institution now and in the future. Oloritun, Pa Olowonimoyin and his wife had to lead the ‘sell your land for establishment of university campaign’.”
“I got nasty experiences as some people used the opportunity to dupe. A woman whose land I fenced after I had paid twice, waited for me to fence her land before coming up to say she was no more selling. Her BAALE did not return the money I paid. She went to the Magistrate Court to report that I oppressed her. I returned her land and the fence. She asked me to remove my fence.”
“The Magistrate asked me to remove my fence. I told them I am a Builder and a builder does not destroy. They asked me to execute an Oath in court to the effect that I voluntarily released the land and the fence, and that I would not tamper with the land and fence. I did the oath. But after about 3 months thereafter she sued me to the High Court demanding for 50 million naira for the ‘embarrassment inconveniences and stress’ I caused her. We are still in court.”
“Four contracts were awarded for construction of the Senate building and three Academic buildings. It was tug-of-war, as what the contractors were building was different from what I paid for. I had to relocate to Nigeria in 2020 to supervise the works. Two of the 4 contractors were relieved for shoddy jobs, while another one was relieved because he was not forthcoming. I losta very huge sum of money in the process. It was a traumatic experience. Since then I became the overall supervisor.
So, the journey has not been easy and smooth as it seems to look today. But I thank Almighty God.
Thanks to Almighty Allah, reality and not a fiction stares us in the face today as Ago Iwoye, my hometown and place of birth prides itself as a city of 2 universities, a citadel of knowledge in Ogun State, in my lifetime, and during the reign of my blood brother, my son, Oba Abdu-Razaq Adesina Adenugba, Okokodanameji 11, the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye. I am very sure nobody feels the way I feel. I am amazed, I am dazed and dazzled, and overwhelmed with joy. Your esteemed presence also makes me proud and complete. You are all that I have in this world. I appreciate you immensely.”
“Aletheia University was borne out of my passion for education, my desire to complement government efforts in the area of education, and my uncontrollable compassion for my community and humanity, in general. Intuitively, education is the tool we need to empower the human capital to improve the lots of the people. My journey was also shaped by my desire to contribute meaningfully to the transformation of education system in Nigeria.”
“The system of education adopted by Nigeria when the first university in Nigeria was established in 1948 is what we still practise.”
“We have been sedentary for too long. We have not been moving with time. By implication, we have made students believe that once they have had their degrees, all that remains is for them to start writing applications for employment. That was then, when we needed to fill vacancies in industries, parastatals and government when our colonial masters vacated their positions for the indigenes to come in after independence. Because of the dearth of graduates, government and employers usually went to universities to interview fresh graduates for employment. That became a tradition. A tradition that does not prepare students for challenges and innovation.”
“In order to prepare the Youth to meet up with the ever-evolving demands of the modern world, innovation must take a centre stage. We must produce graduates with innovative minds who can manufacture and convert raw materials to finished goods.”
“We must embrace backward integration.
“Aletheia University stands as a beacon of change. A change that envisions a learning environment that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and a passion for lifelong learning experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Students will be challenged, and made to face myriads of seeming impossibilities to develop an innovative mind with moral uprightness.”
“At Aletheia University, we will dedicate ourselves to nurturing academically and vocationally adept, well-rounded and emphatic individuals who will shape the future of their societies. We will teach students to become professionals in their areas of their academic pursuit and train them to become employers and entrepreneurs in careers of their choice. We will embrace diversity, encourage innovation, prioritise experiential learning to instil in our students the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life.”
“Graduates will go home with at least 2 certificates, academic and vocational. We will expand their horizon and enlarge their coast of opportunities. They will benefit from the wealth of experiences of captains of industries, employers and entrepreneurs, and those who have seen it all.”
“The multiplier effect of Aletheia University in the areas of capital development, socio-economic growth, commerce et cetera can not be overstated. To date, over 600 skilled and unskilled people have worked on the site, each of them fending for their family.”
“Those selling cement, sands, sand dust, planks, moulding and selling blocks and bricks, building materials are busy and making money. Labourers and cleaners, petty traders are smiling to the bank. Hospitality business, catering and restaurants are thriving.”
“Miscreants and urchins who constitute themselves as threats are reduced. There is improved security. The exponential effect is immeasurable.”
“As we sail into the future to build a community that values truth in pursuit of transformative knowledge that transcends boundaries, with limitless potential of human intellect, I pray Aletheia University becomes a beacon of knowledge and a hub of innovation.
“The presence of the Chief of Army Staff at this occasion gave me some sort of nostalgia and immeasurable joy as I feel at home and complete. Aa ki nr’ewu I’osan. It is very uncommon for the COAS to attend civil function as this, and especially in a non-urban area. I cherish the love you have for us. It is on record that the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff came to my city, Ago Iwoye because of me and my family. .
Members of the Board of Trustees and the Governing Council of Aletheia University have been very wonderful and helpful in their respective ways. The Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Mrs Nike Onikepo Akande, His Excellency, Senator Gbenga Kaka and all members of Board of Trustees deserve a special mention.
In conclusion, I express my appreciation to all those who have been part of this journey, the works team, members of the Board of Trustees who have been sacrificing their time and money to ensure Aletheia University is what it is today. To the Arekemase family, Ogungbe family, Abule Shala, Abule Elega and Abule Latubu, I doff my hat in appreciation. Your villages will grow to become communities. Amen.
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