Comrade Ayodele attended a program at the Obafemi Awolowo University organized by the National Association of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University students chapter. He was invited to speak on 21st Century Democratic Governance: The Inevitable Roles of Administrators.
The program was presided by the Head of the department, Dr. O.O. Popoola, chaired by the Vice Dean Dr. T.A Olaya and moderated by a senior lecturer, Department of Public Administration, OAU, Dr. Mrs. P.I. Igbokwe . Also in attendance were Barr. Folorunsho Oladoyin Bamiseayemi Hon. Commissioner of Education State of Osun (Represented), Hon Biyi Odunlade Commissioner for youth and sport State of Osun, Hon Adeyemi Ife East Local Government Area Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Desmond Ojo Honourable representing Oria Ade LGA, in the State of Osun House of Assembly (Represented at the program) and Mr. Vincent Adeoba, senior Tax Consultant, PWC.
Given his previous role as the Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, a position he held for 2 terms of 6 years, Comrade Ayodele was best placed to give a robust presentation on all facets of good public administration which he buttressed with references from his grassroots administrative and governance experiences to drive home some of his salient points.
It was an extremely interactive session as questions were asked by the students who were eager to learn from an experienced administrator.
The program ended with an award of excellence to Comrade Ayodele by the Association which was presented by the head of department Dr. O.O Poopola.
In his acceptance speech, Comrade Ayodele thanked the President of the Association Gbadebo Moses Oluwaseun and his financial secretary Oluwagbemi David who had made the trip from Osun State to his office in Festac Town, Lagos to personally invite him to the event. It was a touching and surprising gesture as he had no prior relationship with the Ife students and the last time he had spoken at the amphi-theater of the university was 20 years ago with Dr. Dipo Fashina, the then ASU National Chairman at a program organised to mobilise against some unacceptable policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Comrade Ayodele used this gesture by the students to underscore the importance of leaving good footprints and living a worthy and meaningful life which would always be a beacon for others to emulate.
Comrade Ayodele Adewale dedicated the award to GOD and also to the memory of Comrade George Iwilade a.k.a Afrika a 400 law student who was killed by cultist at 4:30am on July 10, 1999 whilst sleeping in his block 6 room at Awo hall of the University. At the time of his death in 1999, the late George Iwilade held a senior position in the student union hierarchy, he was the General Secretary of the Students’ Union Government at Obafemi Awolowo University; Comrade Lanre Adeleke a.k.a Lanre Legacy was President of OAU students union and Comrade Ayodele Adewale was President Lagos State University Students Union Government.
Following the program, the Alumni Relations Officer Mr. Gbolahan Ogunajo facilitated a meeting between Comrade Ayodele and the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Eyitope O. Ogunbodede. Discussions at the meeting centered on activities to provide an enabling environment for youths to thrive, grow and develop.
The outcome of the meeting was a resolution by Comrade Ayodele to offer programmed support in terms of opening up employment opportunities for the best three overall graduating students of the department. Comrade Adewale explained further that he has a lot of goodwill in both the private and public sector and would leverage on this to help the students get gainful employment. The criteria that will be used to select the students must include a good character assessment, excellent academic results (1st class or 2nd class upper distinction) and a letter of endorsement from the Vice Chancellor.
The Vice Chancellor was extremely receptive to this first-of-its-kind proposal and saw the immediate benefit to the students. He assured Comrade Ayodele of his willingness to explore the best way for the university to develop and embed this proposal as an annual program that will be mentioned at every convocation ceremony of the university. In honour to Comrade Adewale for his selfless gesture, the Vice Chancellor asked him to provide a name for the annual employment gesture award.
After consultations with Comrade Segun Adekoya (OBJ) and Mr. Tony Babaniji, the award will be called Comrade Ayodele Adewale Employment Opportunity Award in honour of late Comrade George Iwilade a.k.a Afrika.
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