AS University of Ibadan (UI) is on its way to becoming a full fledged postgraduate university, Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has endowed a professorial chair in Mathematics in the institution with N48m intended to be in perpetuity.

The trust deed was signed recently in the Boardroom of the RCCG at the City of David Parish Island, Lagos attended by some leaders of the church and a high level academic team from the University of Ibadan representing the Vice Chancellor.
Leaders fo RCCG at the signing ceremony were Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, Pastor Tokunbo Adesanya, Pastor Sola Balogun and Pastor Remi Morgan.

From UI were Professor Kayode Adebowale, Dean, Faculty of Science, Professor Ezekiel Olusola Ayoola, Head, Department of Mathematics and Mr. Abayomi Samuel Ajayi, a legal officer.

In his opening remarks, Prof Adebowale expressed delight that the occasion is coming at the most appropriate time when the development of higher education in the country has gathered so much momentum.

Pastor Idowu Iluyomade exchanging the trust deed with Prof Kayode Adebowale, Dean, Faculty of Science, UI
He said: “It is a privilege to be here. The Vice-Chancellor would have been here but had to remain behind because the university was holding its Foundation Day ceremony which is going on. I think right now, higher degrees are being conferred on students with Masters, Msc and M.Phil, and tomorrow is for the Ph.D. He would be receiving visitors tomorrow including the President. That is why he is not present today. We are here representing the VC. It’s a privilege to be here.

Adebowale continued: “This occasion is coming at a very important time in the history of Nigeria because the search light of government is being centred on higher education.
There are 104 universities in Nigeria. The federal government has just announced the establishment of six new universities, making a total of 110. Federal universities which were 27, are now 33. The best suited for endowment of a professorial chair is the university of Ibadan because of its mission to transform to a postgraduate university.
Our admission policy is 60% post-graduate and 40% undergraduate. Our searchlight is on providing high level manpower — a vision at the right time. University of Ibadan supplies high level academic staff to all other universities in the country”.
He said that the professorial chair in mathematics will be there for ever, the holder coordinating all the research work to be done in that specialisation.

“Proceeds from the research will be used to pay the professor that will be appointed, provide car to support him. He will be very useful in conducting research in mathematics, beneficial to those young graduates coming to the system”.
Adebowale explained that the young undergraduates entering the university will have the opportunity to be taught by professors at 100 level.
“These young people just coming from secondary schools need to be well mentored so as to be stimulated and be able to cover lapses at secondary schools” saying he is a Professor of Chemistry, Adebowale added: “Most undergraduates are not well tutored.
There is negative phobia for mathematics. The university of Ibadan curriculum in mathematics has been modified to make it friendly.
We’re looking for a way to deliver mathematics in a simple form and not scaring, trying to make delivery of mathematics more friendly to students.”

On the part of the Church, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, answering questions put to him by Vanguard Education on the nature of the professorial chair and the cost implications said what the church is doing is not only for today, but also for generation yet unborn.
“The chair is in perpetuity which will have impact on the lecturers, students and also the future leaders. Pastor Adeboye, a mathematician himself, this professorial chair is for development of education. As a man thinketh, so shall it be. The chair will have a positive impact on the nation. This signing will be the beginning of good things to come”.
He explained further, recalling that in June 2010, the Apapa family of RCCG had a programme tagged “Excel” and it was acknowledged that Pastor Adeboye thought it fit to donate N50m for endowment of a mathematics chair in the University of Lagos. He wants to continue to do so in other universities across the nation.
“Pastor Adeboye has a background in Mathematics and Hydro Dynamics. At that event, presented N48m to the representative of UI to endow a professorial chair in the institution. Trustees are to sign before it can be operational.
Through investment of the fund and proceeds, every three years, Professor will be appointed,” Iluyomade clarified.

Also speaking on why the focus is on mathematics, Professor Ezekiel Olusola Ayoola, Head, Department of Mathematics, said he was very excited about this development”This is the most positive thing in this Department. Mathematics does not attract people. You can’t open a clinic or shop for mathematics to get money. All over the world, people come to support mathematics.

Ranking of this university is down. In the 1960s, UI used to be on top, and with this facility, things will come back again.”
He disclosed that in the US, there are 99 sections of mathematics offered by universities such as Bio mathematics, financial mathematics, industrial mathematics and so on. “But only 25 sections in Nigeria are active. With this endowment, we will get experts from abroad to teach because in several areas of mathematics, there are no teachers at all. Presently, we have the highest number of mathematics in the country. We will bring more experts to teach.”

Ayoola went on: “Internationally recognised experts will come down here with attractive conditions and do their research. So, the objectives of the chair will be met”.
The first effort to establish a professorial chair in mathematics at University of Ibadan by Prof. Omololu Olulonyo never took off probably for political reasons.

After the two parties signed the trust deed in a brief ceremony anchored by Mr. Frank Aigbogun, one time Editor of Vanguard and now Publisher, Businessman, there was formal exchanges of the document.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/12/adeboye-endows-maths-chair-in-ui-with-n48m/

Leave the agents of the devil alone who want to destroy the man's ministry.

---

"One of the most valuable contributions a benefactor can make to the University is to endow a Professorial Chair, either in part or in perpetuity. An endowed Chair provides independence and security: broadening our range of subject specialists, creating new opportunities for innovation and collaboration, and providing a unique opportunity for Oxford students to learn from the best in their field.

The endowment of a Chair in perpetuity is when a gift is invested by the University and overseen by our expert independent investment committee; the income from the gift goes towards paying the salary of the post-holder and associated costs. Endowment gifts offer an extraordinary opportunity for benefactors to support world-leading research into the big questions of our time and beyond, as gifts will continue to fund posts for generations to come."

http://www.campaign.ox.ac.uk/priorities/posts/endowing_chairs.html