In a move to secure an audience with the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, and follow-up on their first visit where they sought the establishment of a community study centre in their domain, leaders of Fiditi community in Oyo State have paid a visit to the NOUN management.
HRH. Oba Sakirulai Oyewole, the Oyelbre-Onifiditi of Fiditi, led an 8-man delegation on a courtesy visit to the management of NOUN at the university headquarters in Abuja.
According to them, the aim of their visit was to seek for a second visit by the management to assess the ongoing work at the proposed centre as they said it was almost 90% completion.
Moreover, the delegation said the centre would be key to them as it will enable members of the community to easily access higher education which would impact positively on them, even as the centre will comprise of about eleven local government areas in the state.
The community leaders said all it takes to establish and sustain the study centre in infrastructure and other criterion were duly provided, assuring the VC not to entertain fears as getting students will not be a problem.
Out of the 33 local government areas in Oyo state, they added, there are only two NOUN centres, and with the establishment of the Fiditi Community Study Centre, it would be the third in the state.
Responding, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Isaac Butswat, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, expressed appreciation to the delegation for their visit and to explain the level of work at the proposed centre.
He commended them for their interest in establishing a community study centre in their area and the wisdom of coming to pay a courtesy visit, as a follow-up to their request.
Butswat said establishing a community study centre is a core mandate of the university and was decided by the council of the university, but the setback at the moment was that there is no council in place,
An existing moratorium for the establishment of new study centres exists, the DVC explained.
He assured that the university management will look into their request, and whenever the council is inaugurated and the moratorium is lifted, the management will quickly inform them so that they will arrange for a visit either for the second inspection or for the inauguration and handing over of the centre.
The delegation was comprised of Prof. John A. Oluokun, Chairmen, Fiditi Study Centre; Rear Admiral Segun Egbedina (Rtd), community leader; High-Chief Omotoyebi Orishabiyi-Agbaakin of Fiditi; High-Chief Ogunmola- Bale-Agbeof Fiditi; Mr. Adetunji, the President of Fidity Progressive Union; Barr. Jide Olanipekun, former President, FPV and Arc. Kolawole Oluwategbe, Secretary, Fiditi Study Centre.