It was a memorable event and a day of tributes as Staff from Bursary and Store/Purchasing Departments, the Management, Union Leaders, Chairman Committee of Deans and others took their turn to shower encomium on the past three Bursars that meritoriously served at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora.
The send off programme organised by the Bursary and Store/Purchasing Department on Thursday, August 24, 2023 was held in honour of the Pioneer Bursar, Alhaji Haadi Babatunde Ashiyanbi, his successor, Mr. Jacob Olusegun Olaewe and the immediate Past Bursar, Dr. Sarafa Adewumi Agbogun.
The colourful event had in attendance all the Management Committee and other distinguished personalities namely; the Rector, Prof, Akinola Akinlabi, the Deputy Rector, Dr. Taiwo Akinyemi, Registrar, Mr. Rasheed Fasasi Adenrele Adeniji, Director of Works & Services, Engr. Dauda Salaam, Acting Bursar, Mr. Modupe Ogundapo, Director of Audit, Mr. Kolawole Atanda, Secretary to the Management, Mr. Olajire Gbadamosi, Chairman Committee of Deans, Dr. Oladapo Ojo.
Others are, Director of SIWES, Dr. Muyiwa Sodiq, SSANIP Chairman, Engr. Sunday Oyediran, the representative of Non-Academic Staff Union, Com. Kunle Oladele, Seven Deputy Bursars, Deputy Director of Audit, Mrs Comfort Adegbite, Director of Venture, Mr. Alli Ismail, Chief Accountants, Head of Store, Mrs. Olapegba, all Staff of Bursary and Store/Purchasing Departments. Others were the Chief Imam of Lanlate Alhaji Daud Akorede, the Chief Tesfir of Lanlate, Alhaji Isiaq Alimi, the Chief Preacher, Mr Abdul Kadir Abdul Sallam, Alhaja Khadijat Omowumi Agbogun, Mr S. A. Salawu and Mr. R. A. Kauzeem from the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Mrs Oni Oluwatoyin among others.
The Rector, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi in his remarks lauded the Bursary and Store/Purchasing Department for their initiative, while commending the past Bursars for raising gallant Deputy Bursars and Accountant who are piloting the affairs of Bursary department.
Prof. Akinlabi described them as worthy leaders who have put their footprints on the sands of time, while calling on others to emulate their virtues.
In his welcome address, the Acting Bursar, Mr. Modupe Ogundapo, expressed his delight at welcoming the former Bursars who have impacted him and his Colleagues during their days in the College.
According to him, “we are honoured to have you back in our midst after the completion of your tenures or retirement from the services of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, therefore, on behalf of the Governing Council, the Management, Board of Studies, Staff and Students, I welcome you back.
“Although, this send forth was long delayed but we believe it is coming at the appointed time because it is better late than never. It is in this spirit of love we share that we are gathered here today to celebrate, honour and have an enjoyable session with the former Bursars of the Institution.
“Indeed, the trio of Mr. Haadi Babatunde Asiyanbi, Mr. Jacob Olusegun Olaewe and Dr. Sarafa Adewumi Agbogun deserve greater honour, recognition and special commendations going by their huge records of performance in the College during their tenures.
“But in our little way, we are saying we are indeed proud of your contributions to the growth, advancement and development recorded in the Bursary Department, Store/ Purchasing Unit and in the College at large in your respective capacities and positions. The legacies you have left behind are indelible and shall remain memorable forever.
“If we decided to dedicate this programme to tributes, encomiums and eulogies alone, I am sure a lot of staff members who have enjoyed your mentoring would have a lot of good testimonies to make about your commitments to duty, honesty, sense of value and objectivity. This is a good lesson for others to emulate.
“I need to also emphasise that there is no gift or prize that we can present that will commensurate with the services you have rendered. You are remembered today, and your memories will linger on forever in our minds.
“I would not end this address without unreservedly note of appreciation to the Management for their unflinching support towards the success of this programme.”
Mr Ogundapo prayed God to grant the past Bursars long life and sound health in order to eat the fruits of their labour.
The Deputy Rector, Dr. Taiwo Adekemi, who hinted that she was a Staff while the three Bursars served in the institution, extolled the distinguishing qualities of the former Bursars as worthy of emulation.
The Deputy Rector also commended Dr. Agbogun for his support towards the accreditation of Accountancy programme of the Institution by Institutes of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and donations received from the ICAN.
The Deputy Bursars, Mrs. Sekinat Adejuwon, Mr Joshua Taiwo, Mr.Abel Oladeji, Mrs Bola Oyewumi and others testified of the commitment of the Past Bursars to the computerisation of Bursary Department, regular training of their Staff, motivation to pursue further studies, linkage with opportunities in the accounting profession, unwavering and team spiritedness in repositioning the department.
In his remarks, the Registrar, Mr. Rasheed Adeniji expressed surprised at the various positive comments about the past Bursars. He appealed that others should emulate such outstanding qualities.
The pioneer Bursar, Alhaji Ashiyanbi who was represented by his wife, Mrs Ashiyanbi appreciated the Bursary and Store/Purchasing for the initiative as she stressed the need for them to remain united in order to maintain the good legacies left by the past Bursars.
Also responding, Mr. Olusegun Olaewe, represented by his wife applauded the organisers of the send forth programme for celebrating their past leaders. She commended them for their love and dedication to duty, while charging them not to relent. She attested that her husband is a moulder not only in the office but at home too.
The immediate Past Bursar, Dr. Sarafa Agbogun appreciated the Bursary and Store/Purchasing Department for their support while serving at the institution.
He admonished the accountants not to relent in their annual subscription to their professional bodies as he expressed hope that the accountants who have passed through the rigorous training under the Bursary Department will continue to shine in the State and beyond.
In her closing remarks Mrs. Titilope Adeniran thanked all participants at the event for honouring their invitation.
The event featured presentation of gifts, poetic rendition by Olayinka Opele Oro and musical performance by Ade Success.
