Much must have been said about the personality of Hon Abiola Makinde, the ranking Reps member representing Ondo East/West federal constituency at the National Assembly.
Makinde’s predecessors must have in one way or the other tried to see if they could push for the upgrade of the institution but all to no avail.
The institution has produced professors, Captains of Industries and other well meaning Nigerians but never thought of assisting in that capacity of upgrading the institution to a University.
However, during the era of Professor Ogen, as the head of the institution, he tried changing his status to Vice Chancellor during Muhammadu Buhari’s administration but the then administration denied and disappointed the team that championed the cause.
Hon Abiola Makinde came on board, sat with his think – tank and strategized on what to do and make the dream a reality.
He met with all the Senators in the state and other colleagues from the National Assembly.
A bill was passed on the floor in upgrading the status of the institution to a University.
Before the bill scaled-through, he met with Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is a product of the institution.
All hands were put on deck through the help and efforts of Hon Abiola Makinde which today has been awarded as a degree awarding University unlike when Obafemi Awolowo University, ile Ife was in charge of giving out the certificate.
Hon Abiola Makinde, a gentle giant and a man of purpose who stands tall among equals, set to serve the people of Ondo Central senatorial district better than ever imagined
