The Chairman Senate Committee on Local Content and lawmaker representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Senator Teslim Folarin has bagged Distinguished Alumnus Award of University of Ibadan.
The award, which was presented to the three-term senator at 2021 Alumni Lecture of University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Oyo State Branch, held on Friday, 10th of September 2021 at the Association’s Multipurpose Auditorium.
According to the Alumni Association, the Distinguished Alumnus Award is in recognition of Senator Folarin’s qualitative and purposeful representation of his constituents, outstanding personal performance, commitment to excellence, exceptional contributions to community development and for being a worthy ambassador of his Alma Mater.
Senator Folarin who was also the guest lecturer at the event appraised the challenges of security and good governance in the country. He said the challenges of good governance have always been with the Nigeria, even before independence, adding that the challenges only became more complicated during the military rule, which were marked by series of coups and counter coups, unitary, experimental and democratic leadership systems.
Extolling the role of social media as a veritibale source of quick and wide dissemination of information, Senator Folarin also opined that the social media has compounded the challenges of security and governance in the country through the spread of half-truths and fake news, which can pose greater risks to the survival of the nation. “In its very best form, the facility of the new media in the hands of patriots and responsible citizens can be used to propagate the policies of a government, and it can be used to curb the excesses of bad people within the society.”
The Oyo Central lawmaker, however, maintained that good governance and responsive security are essential for national development.
“When we put the security of people at the centre of governance, there will be peace and stability, and development will follow. We, as the political class and the intellectual class, have the duty to create and secure the best of opportunities for the youth in order to make a difference between the challenges we have now and the brighter future we envision for this nation” he stressed.
The event also witnessed the commissioning of Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) ICT Center which was facilitated by the senator.
The NCDMB donated ICT Centre, which is located at MacArthur ICT and Communications Centre of the Premier University was commissioned by the senator alongside Dr. Ginah Ginah who is the Zonal Coordinator and Corporate Communications of NCDMB and Prof. Adewoye Adeyeye.
Senator Folarin who disclosed that the centre is one of seven ICT centers facilitated in 2020 fiscal year to ensure that his senatorial district is not left behind the wave of modern digital technology, also affirmed that a year Internet facility has been paid for immediate use of the facility by the students, staff and accredited visitors of the university.
While lauding his commitment and unselfish dediction to public service, the acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Babatunde Ekanola urged Senator Folarin to remain steadfast in his quest to ensure robust development and peaceful coexistence of the nation through his purposeful representation in the national assembly.
Senator Folarin and his entourage were received by Mr. Bello Adetokunbo-led Oyo State Branch of University of Ibadan Alumni Association, the university management, Mrs. Akinola Folasade-led Lecture and Award Planning Committee, and students of Sultan Bello Hall of Residence. The acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ekanola hosted Senator Folarin and his entourage to a cocktail party.
In attendance at the epoch-making event were former President of Central Council of Ibadan Indegenes (CCII), Chief Bayo Oyero; Worldwide President of University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Prof. Elsie Adewoye; Prof. Adeokun Oluwatobi, Prof. Raji Oyelade, Hon. Akin Alabi representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency; Barrister Lowo Obisesan, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke, Minority Leader of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Asimiyu Alarape; Hon. Isiaka Kazeem Arole representing Oyo East/Oyo West State Constituency; State Secretary of APC Oyo State, Alhaji Mojeed Olaoya; Rt. Hon. Kehinde Subair, Rt. Hon. Adigun Murphy, Hon. D.A Lawal, Hon. Akin Ali, Hon. Yinka Taiwo, Alhaji Shina Alabi, Alhaji Kayode Adanla, former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Ambimbola Adekanmbi; former Oyo State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Hon. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu; Alhaji Ademola Babalola-led Oyo State NUJ; former executive chairman of Ibadan Southeast LGA, Alhaji Teslim Ajimobi; former executive chairman of Irepo LGA, Hon. Asifu Adediran; former executive chairman of Akinyele LGA, Hon. Mukaila Ambali; former chairman of Ona-Ara LGA, Alhaji Akanni Ere; Alhaji Audu Marafa, Alhaji. Yinka Folarin, Alhaji Musbaudeen Adeleke, Alhaji Akeem Olatunji Akogun, Barr. Abiodun Adebayo, Alhaj Abdwahid Olawale, Hon. Biliaminu Ogundele, Mr. Oladeji Olaide, Hon. Femi Akintunde, Hon. Abiodun Adeyemo; Alhaji Wale Adeleke, Hon. Tayo Kesa, Prince Suleiman Ajibade, Hon. Tunji Ajimobi, Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Boluwade, Hon. Kunle Teslim, Mogaji Afolabi Adesina, Mogaji Seun Jegede, Hon. Akeem Ila among other very important personalities.
