The Chancellor of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos, Mr. Femi Otedola, has generously announced a donation of N3.7 billion for the construction of a new engineering building at the institution. This contribution marks the second phase of his commitment to establish a Faculty of Engineering for the university.
Last year, Otedola made a significant donation for the first phase of the faculty building, which also amounted to billions of naira. Additionally, he supplemented the tuition fees for each student by one million naira, further demonstrating his dedication to enhancing the educational experience at Augustine University.
During the sixth convocation ceremony, Otedola stated that with the successful completion of the first phase, he anticipates that the second phase of the project will be completed within 12 months. He emphasized the importance of education as not only a means of personal advancement but also as a platform for serving others.
Otedola advised the graduating students to remember that character holds equal weight to knowledge. “Your degree is not just a symbol of your academic achievements – it is a testament to your commitment to learning and to living a life of integrity,” he noted. He urged them to enter the world as leaders who use their skills and knowledge to solve problems, improve lives, and lead with compassion and empathy.
The Catholic Bishop of Lagos Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, also spoke at the event, reinforcing the mission of Augustine University to develop well-rounded individuals. He highlighted that education should focus on forming students who are morally grounded and spiritually enriched, rather than solely on acquiring knowledge and degrees.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Christopher Odetunde expressed gratitude to Otedola and other corporate bodies for their support of the university. He specifically thanked Otedola for the Faculty of Engineering complex and Chief Stephen Bakare for his donation towards the Faculty of Law Complex, acknowledging their contributions to the growth and development of the institution.