BY DAYO ADESULU
The management of Osun State University has kick-started its plan to hold an annual lecture in honour of one of its Governing council members and a friend of the University, Prince Engr Tunde Ponnle.
Prince Ponnle would be honoured based on his contribution to the development of the University and Education system at large.
The first of its kind annual lecture will have the presence of dignitaries and professionals from all walks of life.
Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila will be speaking on the theme, “Building A truly 21st Century University: A Task Beyond Government”.
This is just as General Alani Akinrinade will chair the occasion on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium, Main Campus, Osogbo by 10.00 am prompt.
Moreover, Prince Engineer Tunde Ponnle who will be clocking 80 on the 24th of December this year will be celebrated.
Prince Ponnle is the first Nigerian to own a cable firm- Mic-Com cables & Wires Limited, the first in Nigeria to own a private 18-hole golf course with hotel facilities. Besides, he is an Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) and an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Speaking on the upcoming lecture, the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Labode Popoola said “It is our standard practice at Osun State University to always recognize and honour legends like Prince Ponnle who has contributed a lot to the development of education system and humanities.
”Engr. Ponnle is a member of the Governing Council of our University and he has never collected any sitting allowance.
”His uncommon act of generosity towards the development of the education system can be seen in the provision of yearly scholarships to students, donation of his residential properties which comprises of the main mansion, five bungalows, a storey building, an acre of land and MicCom Foundation Cancer Centre for Osun State University Medical Education among others.”
Professor Popoola said: ”For over four decades, Prince Ponnle has been empowering people, societies, tertiary institutions, religious bodies.
”This can be seen through the donation of cash on two occasions to the Government of Oyo State, donation of schools to the Governments of Oyo and Osun States.
”Donation of Physics Laboratory to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, donation of a Technical Laboratory to Bowen University, Iwo, donation of blocks of classrooms to the Handicapped Schools in Osogbo and Ikirun.
Other donations include the renovation of the technical workshops (mechanical and electronic) at the Osogbo Trade Centre (now known as Osogbo Technical College), donation of a fully furnished Church to the Baptist Convention, donation of a fully furnished Mosque to the Ansarudeen Society at Apata, Ibadan.
And the donation of a fully furnished block of four classrooms to the Baptist Seminary Primary School, Ogbomoso, just to mention but a few.
The management, staff, and students of Osun State University hereby wish Prince Engr. Tunde Ponnle a happy birthday in advance and wish him well in all his endeavours.
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