Renowned scholar, administrator, and media guru Prof. Umaru A. Pate has advocated for and called on other sectors to emulate what has transpired at Lead City University, Ibadan. He noted that if this is done, Nigeria will be a better-managed country.
The Professor made this statement on Friday, February 27, at the institution during the 1st Colloquium in Honour of Professor Jide Owoeye at 70.
As part of the activities marking the 70th birthday of Prof. Jide Owoeye—the founding force and Chairman of the Governing Council of Lead City University, Ibadan—the institution hosted a landmark event.
Prof. Pate, a renowned communication scholar and immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe, was invited as the Lead Presenter. He spoke on the theme: ‘Nigerian Higher Education and Private Sector Involvement: Navigating the Path, Confronting the Challenges, and Opportunities for the Future’.
Pate’s presentation at the colloquium attracted mammoth applause. He congratulated Prof. Jide Owoeye and thanked the Vice Chancellor for the Invite.
‘I congratulate Prof. Jide and thank the Vice Chancellor for the invite.
‘You could see the spirit that went in to the development of this University. Despite the difficulty of having land in Ibadan, see how land has been properly utilized” prof. Pate said.
He further noted:
‘ this is what we required in places not only in the educational sector but others, Nigeria would be a better manage Country’.
Other distinguished discussants at the event included:
Prof. Shadrach Akindele, Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State;
Prof. Oyedunni Sola Arulogun, Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State;
Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, Vice-Chancellor of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State;
Prof. Muyiwa Popoola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State.
In recognition of his significant contributions to international relations and private sector-driven education, the 1st Colloquium celebrated the legacy of Prof. Jide Owoeye. As an esteemed scholar and entrepreneur, Prof. Owoeye (B.Sc. Ibadan; M.Sc., PhD Ife; FAIA, JP) represents a career that uniquely bridges the worlds of academia, policy, and institutional growth.
A former Professor of International Relations at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, he pioneered ground-breaking scholarly work on Japan’s policy in Africa before his voluntary retirement in 2005. His vision for education, fueled by robust private sector participation, birthed several educational, media, and financial institutions.
Through these initiatives, he has significantly advanced human capital development, skills acquisition, staff welfare, and student access.
His life exemplifies a purposeful synergy between education and private sector innovation, making this colloquium both timely and essential.
