…As Alabi Kazeem Olawale Becomes Rotary Club President Amid Encomiums From FUNAAB VC, DVCD, Former Bursar
…As VC, DVCD, Others Bag Awards
It was an outpouring of accolades, encomiums and ovations at the weekend on a Bursary staff of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Mr. Alabi Kazeem Olawale, as he was officially invested as the 12th President of Rotary Club of Obantoko, Abeokuta.
Spices Hall and Event Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, the venue of the investiture of the tall and light in complexion man in the Mandate Section of the Bursary literary stood still for the ‘gentleman’ Alabi, who also laced his boot for the University Staff Football Team, as a gangling and clinical midfielder.
It was a noticeable pay back time for Alabi, as scores of eminent personalities and well wishers turned up to honour the “golden boy” with their prescence.
FUNAAB Vice-Chancelor, Prof. Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, a good mixer, who despite his tight schedules, has been identifying with all cadres of staff and students on their day of celebration, led members of the university community to the investiture, where he meritoriously bagged a well deserved
“Humanitarian Award.”
He was accompanied by the duo of the Deputy VC, Development, DVCD, Prof. Kola Adebayo, former Bursar, Mr. Chukwuwinke Ezekpeazu, who also bagged a prestigious award at the ceremony.
Trust FUNAAB Bursary ‘espirit de corps,’ as they turned out massively to solidarise with one of their own, like they did for Mr. Fanoiki, another bursary staff and an accountant in BCE, whose mother’s burial in Ibadan coincided with the Abeokuta investiture ceremony.
Speaking at the investiture of the new Rotary President, the VC described Mr Alabi as a dedicated staff and a man of integrity,
stating categorically that his presidency of Rotary Club is well deserved.
Prof. Kehinde assured the Club that their new President as a dedicated and straight forward person will take the association to a greater heights.
Also speaking, the immediate past Bursar of FUNAAB, Mr Ezekpeazu assured the club that Mr Alabi, who worked closely with him during his tenure of office will impact positively on the club.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof. Adebayo, extolled the qualities of the new Rotary Club President, describing him as a dedicated and hardworking man who always ensure that his responsibilities are done perfectly and timely.
Prof Adebayo, who is a golfer and member of the prestigious Abeokuta Golf Club, enjoined the club to give their new helmsman the much needed support so as to record huge success in office.
Earlier, the Royal Father of the day, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Adeniyi Oluwagbemiga Olayinka Emulu, the Olu of Orile-Itesi, in Odeda Local Government Areas of Ogun State, extolled the virtues of the new President.
He passed a vote of confidence on the ability of Mr. Alabi to impact positively on the club, describing him as a man of pedigree.
He disclosed that Mr. Alabi is always his first contact whenever there is need for him to come to the university for one thing or other.
The Keynote Speaker, Evang. Kolade Segun-Okeowo, who is also an awardee, spoke on the topic: ‘Who and Who Is A Poor Man.’
He averred that having millions of naira in the bank or at home doesn’t make anybody a rich man, stressing that someone who saw an opportunity and used it maximally to create wealth for himself and the society can be called a rich man.
Evang. Okeowo said further that a rich man will never stay indoor and expect miracles to happen.
He enthused, “A rich man sees opportunities in every happening around him and his ability to translate non-meaningful things to meaningful ones to create wealth makes one a rich man.”
Pastor Kolade opined further that a rich man never blame anyone for his fortune or misfortune, adding that he usually take actions, no matter the challenges and will never stay in the church or mosque all day praying for divine miracles without himself taking actions.
Other awardees include former FUNAAB Registrar, Dr. ‘Bola Adekola, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Festus Adeosun and former Dean of COLPLANT, Prof Mufutau Olaoye Atayese.
Others are: Oba Emulu, the Olu of Orile-Itesi, Pastor Segun-Okeowo, AG Dayo Niyi Idowu, Hon. Justice Titi Bello, Alhaji Fatai Adesina Soyoye, and Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki, among numerous dignitaries and members of the Rotary Club of different denomination present at the event.
