Visit of Professor Ojo Ademola to Chairman of Agric and Allied Matters Trade Group to Discuss UNIPRO Vision

By: Babatunde Adekanmbi

Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, Nigeria’s first Professor of Cyber Security and Information Technology Management and the Promoter of the proposed University of Professional Studies (UNIPRO), visited Chief Folorunso Ogunnaike MFR, JP.

Chief Ogunnaike is not only the Founder of Fol-Hope Limited, an agricultural company with over six decades of experience in the sector but also the Chairman of the Agric & Allied Matters Trade Group.

During their meeting, Professor Ademola discussed the vision of UNIPRO, which aims to facilitate professionalism, academia, and entrepreneurship in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. He highlighted that once the University, located in Igbajo-Ijesha, Oriade Local Government Area, Osun State, on over 201 hectares of land, is established, it will produce individuals with vast knowledge in research work and sharpened entrepreneurship skills. This will enable them to be self-employed before entering the labour market.

In their conversation, Professor Ademola proposed to Chief Ogunnaike that Fol-Hope Limited institutionalise the legacy of their founder and chairman at the university by establishing a centre of excellence in livestock management and other related matters. This would help maintain and integrate Chief Folorunso Ogunnaike’s legacy into the learning process of potential students at the university.

Chief Ogunnaike warmly welcomed Professor Ademola to their headquarters on Airport Road in Ibadan, Oyo State. He commended the Promoter of UNIPRO and Chairman of Professor Ademola Ojo Emmanuel Foundation for his visionary approach to humanity through the impending University. This will significantly contribute to entrepreneurship development in Africa, particularly in Nigeria.

Chief Ogunnaike expressed his concerns about the government’s response to agricultural development, noting that agriculture should be the primary source of wealth for the country, given the abundance of natural resources, especially agricultural raw materials. He pointed out that the government’s inaction on critical issues such as food security has led to the displacement of farmers in rural areas and a rise in food prices. He was optimistic about Professor Ademola’s proposal to institutionalise the legacies of individuals like himself who have dedicated their efforts to the nation’s development in areas related to food security.

The pioneer professor believes that initiatives like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s establishment of a livestock ministry demonstrate a genuine government commitment to addressing issues surrounding food security and enhancing agricultural development in Nigeria. He firmly believes that the current administration will implement suitable policies that benefit all involved parties and further boost agricultural development in Nigeria.