By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The former Group Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, has donated the sum of N1 million to the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)’s best-graduating student in Accounting.
The former banker gave out this cash gift to a 24-year-old lady, Ms Oyedele Abibat Adejoke, who bagged first class in Accounting at the 7th convocation ceremony held on Saturday, February 11, 2023.
Mr Onasanya, who retired from the banking industry seven years ago to establish a real estate company, The Address Homes, was at the institution to receive the Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) in Finance conferred on him by the school.
The conferment was approved by the university senate and governing council in recognition of his professional excellence, illustrious persona as an excellent banker and brilliant chartered accountant, as well as his exemplary leadership in contemporary Nigeria, especially the real estate industry, with positive impacts on the lives of the vast majority of people.
The ceremony was performed by the Vice Chancellor of FUOYE, Professor Abayomi Fasina; the Chancellor, Oba Matthew Opaluwa (Ata Igala); and members of the university senate.
Other awardees were football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, aka Mathematical Odegbami; and a legal luminary, Mr Wole Olanipekun (SAN).
In his acceptance speech, Mr Onasanya expressed gratitude to the school for finding him deserving of such an exalted honour, promising not to relent on his efforts.
“I thank God that after seven years of my retirement as the Group Managing Director of First Bank, I am still active and relevant to my society,” Mr Onasanya, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Helen Onasanya, said
Explaining the rationale behind the cash prize to Ms Oyedele, The Address Homes Chairman said, “We should be able to give back to Society and perform our duty wherever we find ourselves to encourage the young ones.”
The VC of FUOYE, in his speech, said the institution, within the shortest time of creation, has carved a niche for itself on the international grid of academic excellence and connecting the town and the gown for economic prosperity.
While congratulating the graduands on their academic feats, Mr Fasina admonished them to project the image of the institution positively.
Modupe Gbadeyanka