Ado-Ekiti,
the capital of Ekiti State is home to the fastest growing private
University in Nigeria, - the Afe Babalola University. It is acknowledged
as the “Mecca” of a model University and a benchmark for other private
institutions hence attract daily influx of parents and guardians into
the institution seeking admission for their children and wards. ABUAD
also attracts groups, academics, and professional organizations,
Researchers daily for her prowess in faculty and teaching facilities
which are second to none.
The
neatly arranged building with aesthetic designs in a serene environment
adds to the attendant allurement. It was against this background that
the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) came calling.
Led
by its President, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi, the forty member high powered
delegation was received by the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN, OFR,
CON) and top management staff of the University at the Council Chambers.
Welcoming
the entourage, the Vice Chancellor Prof Sidi Osho disclosed that ABUAD
is an intense story of determination, courage, sacrifice, empowerment
and transformation. She told the delegation that the dwindling quality
of University education was the catalyst that energized the Founder Aare
Afe Babalola into establishing this University as a model for what a
real university should be.
Prof
Osho called on them to explore ways of partnering with ABUAD stressing
that the visit marks a landmark in our quest to showcase the inherent
qualities of our staff to the Accountancy body.
She commended them for conducting ICAN examination without blemish.
In
his address at the occasion, the Provost, College of Social and
Management Studies, Dr. Yekeen Lawal highlighted what makes ABUAD
unique. He said it is the first and only University in Nigeria that is
registered by guarantee; the first and only University that started
operation at its permanent site with the entire required infrastructure
in place; the first and only one that is fully equipped with e-learning
platform and electronic boards. It also has the largest e-library and
ICT laboratory in Nigeria.
Dr.
Lawal who reiterated the Founder’s resolve to produce graduates that
appreciates the value of the dignity of labour, hence become
problem-solvers, self-reliant, employers of labour, highly productive
and globally relevant in every sphere of human endeavor announced that
there are eleven courses in his college, with many students excelling
ICAN ATS professional examinations.
The
Provost thanked the body for approving ABUAD as an ICAN Examination
Centre and for the supply of study materials. He expressed the
University’s desire to enter into Memorandum of Understanding with ICAN
to facilitate our B.Sc. Accounting programme gravitating to a combined
B.Sc/ICAN degree.
According to him, the MOU will remove the rigours of going through the cumbersome ATS route to professionalism.
Responding,
the ICAN President, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi extolled the virtues of the
Founder Aare Afe Babalola. He described him as a motivator who has
etched his name in history books. He lauded Aare’s outstanding
contributions to Law, education, philanthropy and farming. Mr Owolabi
later decorated the Founder with the ICAN’s Award of Excellence in
appreciation of his unquantifiable support for the institute. At the
presentation ceremony, the ICAN President presented Accountancy Journals
quarterly Journals and Student Journals to the Founder as gifts.
Mr.
Owolabi was particularly happy at the fast rate by which the three year
old institution is developing and taking giant strides in transformatory
University education.
He
attributed the development to the personality of the Founder and a
reflection of his handwork, dedication and commitment into making
impossible tasks possible with ease. He implored him to facilitate
mandatory professional examinations for his staff.
The
ICAN President gave kudos to the management team for the success
recorded so far. He urged them not to relent on their oars but work
harder to fulfill the goals for which the University was established. He
congratulated it for being accredited to run Accountancy despite its
young age while older institutions were finding it difficult to achieve
such feats. He said, there is no doubt in his mind that the abundant
human and material resources in ABUAD will meet ICAN’s standard for full
accreditation.
The President, on behalf of his institute donated four laptops with relevant accounting packages and books to ABUAD.
He
announced a Scholarship Awards for brilliant students. Under the Scheme,
anyone with first class in Accountancy will be sponsored free to write
the professional examination. Those from other disciplines with first
class who are ready to sit for ICAN exams will also get a Scholarship.
He announced a grant of five hundred thousand naira for any student
wishing to pursue a PhD in Accountancy.
Mr
Adedoyin requested for assistance towards their forthcoming South West
Convention which will hold in Ado-Ekiti and the National Convention to
be held before the end of the year.
In
his thank-you-speech, the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola expressed his
gratitude for the honour done him. According to him, the award is a
proof that his giant strides and labour in transforming education, has
not gone unnoticed.
He congratulated the ICAN President for starting well and urged him to inspect all the facilities in the University.
On
the Nigerian economy, Aare said the nation appreciates ICAN’s
contribution to national development but urged them to do more. He
described ICAN as the most powerful group in the economy of Nigeria
hence they should be the directors of Nigerian economy.
On
their request for support, the Founder assured them of his financial
assistance. He urged ICAN members to support their President in his task
of uplifting the Institute to greater heights.
The delegation later met with ABUAD Accounting Undergraduates at the prestigious Owolabi Hall in the Campus.
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