El- Rufai to deliver keynote Address at Pa Ajasin Colloquium

The Kaduna State governor,Malam Nasir El-Rufai will be the keynote Speaker at a colloquium in honour of the late former governor of Ondo state, Chief Adekunle Michael Ajasin says the Board of Trustees of Ajasin Foundation.

Addressing a news conference on Thursday in Akure , the first Child of the late Sage, Mrs Jumoke Anifowose, who is also Non Executive Secretary of Ajasin Foundation, said the colloquium would hold at the Dome Event Centre in the state capital .

According to her, the event which holds on November 28, 2019, has a theme this year, “Promoting Economic Development, Social Justice and Rule of Law as Pathways to stability and prosperity in Nigeria.”

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is will also grace the event.

Mrs Ajasin said there will be three other discussants to elucidate diverse viewpoints, namely; Professor Adenike Osofisan of the Computer Science Department U.I, Dr. Olufemi Adu of FUTA and Hon. Engr. J.F. Adeyemi, former member of the House of Representatives.

Below is the full text of the press conference:

COLLOQUIUUM OF AJASIN FOUNDATION

Gentlemen and Ladies of the press. On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Ajasin Foundation I welcome you to this press briefing. It is my pleasure to present to the press the programme of events for the 2019 colloquiuum.

First and foremost I want to thank you for your support and cooperation over the years. Since inception of the Foundation in 1999, we have enjoyed a very cordial relationship with the press and it is our hope that this relationship will continue to grow now and in the years ahead. We are truly grateful.

This press conference is being held to announce our current year’s activities which began a few weeks ago with the secondary schools debate, the final of which comes up on November 27, 2019.

On the 26th of November, 2019, there will be the annual presentation to Ajasin Scholars at Owo High School. This is a scholarship programme initiated by Dr. ‘Bode Ogunleye, an old student of Owo High School who is currently based in the United States of America. The scholarship programme was instituted as his contribution in support of academic excellence in his alma mater. It involves the award of financial reward for the overall best student in each year from JS 1 – SS 3. The best overall SS3 student receives One hundred thousand naira (N100,000.00) per academic year through the duration of his/her University study for 6 years. The best student in each stream from JS 1 – SS 3 also receives Five thousand naira (N5,000.00) each. The awardees in addition receive certificates and pins to mark their academic achievement .

As I earlier mentioned, there is the final of the debate competition on the 27th of November, 2019 among some selected secondary school students at the Oyemeku Secondary School hall in Akure. The prize for the best student debater at this competition is an IPad and set of books, the the 2nd and 3rd places also attract a set of books.. Certificates of commendation are awarded to the winning schools.

On November 28, 2019, there will be the colloquium. This year’s theme is on Promoting Economic Development, Social Justice and Rule of Law as Pathways to stability and prosperity in Nigeria and will DV be held at the Dome in Akure. The keynote Speaker for the day is His Excellency, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State. There will be three other discussants to elucidate diverse viewpoints. Namely, Professor Adenike Osofisan of the Computer Science Department U.I, Dr. Olufemi Adu of FUTA and Hon. Engr. J.F. Adeyemi, former member of the House Representatives.

In an effort to build on the legacy of the Late Chief M.A. Ajasin, the Foundation has concentrated on Education and Politics- the two areas that Chief Ajasin best excelled and left indelible marks on his community and his country. Some of the other prominent activities in which the Foundation has been engaged are:

Encouragement of interaction and competition among schools in academics within Ondo State
Advocacy for integrity in politics through the introduction of a code of conduct for politics and politicians
Collaboration with ICPC in its fight against corruption
Promoting character education through early introduction of the right values for children at home and family environment
Advocacy for non-violent and peaceful elections

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, this in a nutshell is the reason we have invited you here today. We hope that you will inform and educate the public about the upcoming events particularly the coloquiuum and award presentation of the 28th of November (which is the birthday of the late sage).

The Chief host at this occasion is none other than the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu who is a disciple of good governance as preached by Chief Ajasin. Of course he would be supported as usual by his colleagues in the South west.

Once again, I thank you for coming and we look forward to seeing you at the event and providing us with the benefit of your usual full coverage of the ensuing activities.