By Opeyemi Olawore
October 4, 2020 marks the last day in office for the Deputy Rector for Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Dr. Oluwasanjo Ariyo Okunlola whom many described as a man of the people and youth leader.
As Dr. Ariyo Okunlola bows out of active service, different groups in Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora including the OYSCATECH Christian Community, Association of Ibarapa Staff Indigenes (OYSCATECH Chapter) and Forestry Department took their turn to celebrate the out-going deputy rector for his commitment and dedication to duty.
The Association of Ibarapa Staff indigenes working in OYSCATECH could not hide their joy as they organized a send-off programme to honour their own and an illustrious son of Idere in Ibarapa Central Local Government, Dr. Ariyo Okunlola.
The send-off programme also featured the foundation laying of a block of five offices as a donation by the Association of Ibarapa Staff Indigenes to Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora in honour of Dr. Ariyo Okunlola.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Lateef Sanni, who was represented by one of the Governing Council members, Dr. Amos Abegunde appealed to Staff of the institution to watch and guide their character jealously. He explained that the memories of one’s character is such that people would live with, when one changes address.
The Governing Council Chairman congratulated the retiring Deputy Rector, Dr. Ariyo Okunlola for the opportunity to end well, while praying God to grant him sound health and all round peace on his retirement.
Other speakers at the occasion include the acting rector, Mr. Olaniyi Adekunle, the Bursar, Alahaji Sarafa Agbogun, Alhaji Rahman Alayande and Hon. Sola Fakorede. They all called for unity among staff and the seven towns in ibarapa.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman Association of Ibarapa Staff Indigenes, OYSCATECH Chapter, Mr. Peter Oladokun explained that the send-off programme was conceived as a result of the love and the great contributions of Dr. Okunlola towards the development of the institution.
According to him, “Dr. Okunlola as a forestry expert and one of the foundation members since the establishment of the institution since 2006 served the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora meritoriously, propagating love and unity among staff members.
Dr. Okunlola is a great man, visionary leader, hardworking, dependable and responsible man who seeks the development of OYSCATECH, Igboora, he said.”
The Ibarapa Staff Indigenes working in OYSCATECH share in the mission of the College in the area of infrastructural development, it is on this note that we are laying the foundation of a block of five offices which will be named after Dr. Oluwasanjo Ariyo Okunlola.
We therefore solicit for the support of other sons and daughters of Ibarapa as well as political office holders towards the speedy completion of the project.”
As part of the send-off programme, the forestry department, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora organized a special tree planting in honour of the retiring deputy rector, Dr. Ariyo Okunlola who is forestry expert and a staff of forestry department.
Dr. Okunlola led other members of the management and staff of the forestry department to carry out the significant tree planting at the orchard of forestry department.
“This guava seedling is hereby planted for the development of forestry department orchard and for accreditation purposes,” he said.
Speaking on the significance of the exercise, the Head of Forestry Department, Mrs. Opeyemi Godspower revealed that Dr. Okunlola is a frontline forester who is committed to tree planting in the college and that accounted for the tree planting at the Forestry department orchard which would be named after Dr. Oluwasanjo Ariyo Okunlola.
Similarly, the OYSCATECH Christian Community under the leadership of Engr. Agboola Fagbemi gathered at the 800 Seater hall of the institution to appreciate the almighty God on behalf of Deputy Rector, Dr. Ariyo Okunlola and other former staff of the institution which include; the immediate past registrar, Mr. Niyi Fehintola, the former Chairman Committee of Deans, Dr. Oluyemi Ayanboye and Mr. Jacob Oyeyinka.
The Christian Community President, Engr. Fagbemi explained that the thanksgiving and appreciation service was borne out of the dedication and commitment of the aforementioned staff to the College and OYSCATECH Christian Community.
The programme featured thanksgiving, testimonies, prayers, presentation of gifts and exhortation by Pastor Solomon Abatan of Zion Baptist Church, Igboora.
