Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State is home to the fastest growing private University in Nigeria, - the Afe Babalola University. It is acknowledged as the “Mecca” of a model University and a benchmark for other private institutions hence attract daily influx of parents and guardians into the institution seeking admission for their children and wards. ABUAD also attracts groups, academics, and professional organizations, Researchers daily for her prowess in faculty and teaching facilities which are second to none.
The neatly arranged building with aesthetic designs in a serene environment adds to the attendant allurement. It was against this background that the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) came calling.
Led by its President, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi, the forty member high powered delegation was received by the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN, OFR, CON) and top management staff of the University at the Council Chambers.
Welcoming the entourage, the Vice Chancellor Prof Sidi Osho disclosed that ABUAD is an intense story of determination, courage, sacrifice, empowerment and transformation. She told the delegation that the dwindling quality of University education was the catalyst that energized the Founder Aare Afe Babalola into establishing this University as a model for what a real university should be.
Prof Osho called on them to explore ways of partnering with ABUAD stressing that the visit marks a landmark in our quest to showcase the inherent qualities of our staff to the Accountancy body.
She commended them for conducting ICAN examination without blemish.
In his address at the occasion, the Provost, College of Social and Management Studies, Dr. Yekeen Lawal highlighted what makes ABUAD unique. He said it is the first and only University in Nigeria that is registered by guarantee; the first and only University that started operation at its permanent site with the entire required infrastructure in place; the first and only one that is fully equipped with e-learning platform and electronic boards. It also has the largest e-library and ICT laboratory in Nigeria.
Dr. Lawal who reiterated the Founder’s resolve to produce graduates that appreciates the value of the dignity of labour, hence become problem-solvers, self-reliant, employers of labour, highly productive and globally relevant in every sphere of human endeavor announced that there are eleven courses in his college, with many students excelling ICAN ATS professional examinations.
The Provost thanked the body for approving ABUAD as an ICAN Examination Centre and for the supply of study materials. He expressed the University’s desire to enter into Memorandum of Understanding with ICAN to facilitate our B.Sc. Accounting programme gravitating to a combined B.Sc/ICAN degree.
According to him, the MOU will remove the rigours of going through the cumbersome ATS route to professionalism.
Responding, the ICAN President, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi extolled the virtues of the Founder Aare Afe Babalola. He described him as a motivator who has etched his name in history books. He lauded Aare’s outstanding contributions to Law, education, philanthropy and farming. Mr Owolabi later decorated the Founder with the ICAN’s Award of Excellence in appreciation of his unquantifiable support for the institute. At the presentation ceremony, the ICAN President presented Accountancy Journals quarterly Journals and Student Journals to the Founder as gifts.
Mr. Owolabi was particularly happy at the fast rate by which the three year old institution is developing and taking giant strides in transformatory University education.
He attributed the development to the personality of the Founder and a reflection of his handwork, dedication and commitment into making impossible tasks possible with ease. He implored him to facilitate mandatory professional examinations for his staff.
The ICAN President gave kudos to the management team for the success recorded so far. He urged them not to relent on their oars but work harder to fulfill the goals for which the University was established. He congratulated it for being accredited to run Accountancy despite its young age while older institutions were finding it difficult to achieve such feats. He said, there is no doubt in his mind that the abundant human and material resources in ABUAD will meet ICAN’s standard for full accreditation.
The President, on behalf of his institute donated four laptops with relevant accounting packages and books to ABUAD.
He announced a Scholarship Awards for brilliant students. Under the Scheme, anyone with first class in Accountancy will be sponsored free to write the professional examination. Those from other disciplines with first class who are ready to sit for ICAN exams will also get a Scholarship. He announced a grant of five hundred thousand naira for any student wishing to pursue a PhD in Accountancy.
Mr Adedoyin requested for assistance towards their forthcoming South West Convention which will hold in Ado-Ekiti and the National Convention to be held before the end of the year.
In his thank-you-speech, the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola expressed his gratitude for the honour done him. According to him, the award is a proof that his giant strides and labour in transforming education, has not gone unnoticed.
He congratulated the ICAN President for starting well and urged him to inspect all the facilities in the University.
On the Nigerian economy, Aare said the nation appreciates ICAN’s contribution to national development but urged them to do more. He described ICAN as the most powerful group in the economy of Nigeria hence they should be the directors of Nigerian economy.
On their request for support, the Founder assured them of his financial assistance. He urged ICAN members to support their President in his task of uplifting the Institute to greater heights.
The delegation later met with ABUAD Accounting Undergraduates at the prestigious Owolabi Hall in the Campus.
