Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and his Lagos counterpart, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu would, alongside other eminent Nigerians, grace the 70th anniversary of Layola College, Ibadan, Oyo.
The minister will deliver the anniversary lecture on Friday, July 19, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, while Governor Sanwo-Olu will be the guest of honour at the event and Governor Makinde will be the guest of honour at the anniversary Gala Dinner scheduled for 10th of August in Ibadan.
Mr Edun will speak on “Reconstructing the Nigerian Economy for Sustainable Growth and Investment,” with the aim to provide insightful perspectives on the initiatives by the current administration to turn around the economy for sustainable growth and investment.
Also, there will be a panel discussion on the lecture featuring various experts including Dr. Doyin Salami, who is the former Chief Economic Adviser to the former President; Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye, the Managing Director of Cadbury Nigeria Plc., and Dr. Olumide Adedeji, a banker and alumnus of the college.
Amb. Joe Keshi, an alumnus of the college and former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs will chair the lecture while Mr. Laolu Akande, also an alumnus and Special Adviser to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, will moderate the session.
Furthermore, the lecture will also feature the launch of a new book, titled: “Loyola Stories,” which chronicles the totality of the school since its inception as well as the reflections by several alumni spanning many sets.
The National President of the Old Boys’ Association (LOCOBA) of the college, Prof Olufemi Ogunbiyi, gave this explanation in a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune to announce the anniversary event.
He listed other activities to commemorate the anniversary including essay and sports competitions, talent hunt, career counseling, gala night, and so forth.
He noted that the guest speaker at the gala dinner which will also feature a groundbreaking for the Alumni multipurpose building project to commemorate the anniversary, is Prof Tony Akinwale, who is the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University.
He said the former VC would speak on the topic, “Reconstructing the Educational System in Nigeria: The Role of the Private Sector,” while Governor Makinde will be the special guest of honour at the event.
Ogunbiyi, a Professor of Anatomical Pathology at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, declared that Loyola College had produced many great men who are doing fantastic in their various fields and contribute substantially to the global economy and are happy to celebrate the school that produced them.
He gave a brief history of the college, owned by the Roman Catholic mission, saying 19 students were pioneers set in 1954 and with the late former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina, and the former CEO of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Late Apostle Hayford Alile, on the admission list.
He said since then, the college has been churning out products, that later become outstanding in their chosen fields, impacting the economy and humanity.
He listed a few of them including the immediate past governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who is now late; renowned Political Economist cum politician, Prof Pat Utomi; the current Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof Akin Abayomi as well as
the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and so forth.
He said all alumni of the school and their families and friends as well as other stakeholders are expected to join in the celebration.
