The management of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo newly upgraded to Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo has donated a parcel of land for the building of a modern public library in Ondo City, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government in Ondo State.

Funded by the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), the project is located at the annex of the institution, where its secondary, nursery and primary schools are located in Ondo City.

It is facilitated and brought to the community by the member representing Ondo East and West Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in Abuja, Hon. Peter Abiola Makinde.

Speaking at the event, the Osemawe and paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, Jilo III, CFR, attributed the development to God.

The highly elated first class traditional ruler commended Hon. Makinde for his patriotism and unflinching love for Ondo community.

He added that the facilitation of the library and its construction in the community as well as the role Makinde played in ensuring the upgrade of Adeyemi College of Education to a university of education aptly demonstrate the passion he has for the advancement of the community.

The monarch acknowledged communal spirit of his subjects, listing areas where the kingdom has blazed the trail in community development: founding the first community secondary school, Ondo Boys’ High School in 1919; construction of a General Hospital and a modern Community Civic Centre, which he described as one of the finest in Nigeria.

Oba Kiladejo also recognized the contributions made to the development of the community by the Ondo State Government establishing the first University of Medical Sciences in Nigeria as well as the Methodist Church of Nigeria establishing the Wesley University in the community.

Commending all those who played significant roles in the struggle for the upgrade of the College to a university, the monarch appealed to other indigenes of Ondo Kingdom to emulate the good gesture that Makinde exhibited, coming forward to contribute their own quota to the development of the ancient community.

Remarking, the College Provost, Dr. Samuel Akintunde, represented by the Deputy Provost, Dr. Ajigbade Ikuejube, described the occasion as double celebration, noting that the building of the library on the institution’s land, in addition to the recent upgrade of the College to a University, have brought excitement and joy not only to staff and students of the institution but also people of Ondo Kingdom.

The Colleges Chief Executive Officer lauded Hon. Makinde’s initiative, which he described as academic oriented, saying by facilitating the construction of the library in Ondo City his name would remain indelible in the minds of the people of the community for a very long time.

Dr. Akintunde also commended the lawmaker for the role played in the recent change in the status of the College, as well as past contributions made through the construction of a skill acquisition centre in the institution.

“You have done a lot to impact generations, not only the present one, but those still unborn, by moving away from the idea of some people that a library is no longer relevant in this generation, he said.

“We are proud to be associated with your monumental achievements. This 300-capacity library, you said, would be equipped with modern equipment. We thank you for this and we believe also that all of us, even including scholars, will make judicious use of the library, he remarked.

Earlier in his remarks, the lawmaker representing Ondo East and West at the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja, Hon. Abiola Makinde, expressed appreciation to the management of ACE for donating the land for the construction of the library.

He explained that the decision to facilitate the project and ensure that it is sited in Ondo city, was in demonstration of the concern he has for the welfare of the people, that gave him mandate to represent them.

In addition, he added that the building of the library was in fulfilment of part of his development agenda formed with the acronym “WEALTH Agenda” which encompasses Water, Education, Agriculture, Light, Training and Health.

Speaking on the library project, the lawmaker said the choice of its location was strategically done to provide easy access to students of various secondary schools within its vicinity to benefit from it.

He listed the beneficiary schools as: Adeyemi College Demonstration Secondary School, Ondo Boys’ High School, St. Andrew’s Grammar school, St. Helen Unity Secondary school, St. Monica’s Girls Grammar School St. Joseph’s College, among others.

Assuring early completion of the project, which he said would be built in line with global standards, Makinde said the library complex when fully completed would have sections such as circulation, acquisition, classification, catalogue, periodical and information technology.

He also stated that interested members of the public seeking to use of the facility would have access to the place from Monday to Friday as well as on Saturday.

On funding, the MHR allayed fear of abandonment, saying, “I want to assure you that this project is already 100 percent funded. So it is not going to be an abandon project, he stated.

Hon. Makinde, however, expressed gratitude to the people of Ondo East /West Federal Constituency for the confidence reposed in him, as he thanked officials from NEPZA, Abuja, who came to attend the event.

He equally acknowledged support given to him by the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila since he became a member of the hollowed chamber, saying the support he got from the Speaker has been of immense value to him in the actualisation of his vision for the people of his constituency.

The Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo kick-started the foundation-laying ceremony of the library. Other dignitaries followed, including Hon. Makinde, High Chief Simeon Oguntimehin (Lisa of Ondo Kingdom), High Chief Johnson Olusola Adeduro (Sasere) and Dr. Ikuejube on behalf of the Provost, Dr. Samuel Akintunde.

Others were Hon. Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, Ondo state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Wale Akinlosotu.

The library construction ground-breaking event which featured cultural display, was attended by eminent personalities from all walks of life including three Colleges principal officers: Dr. Ajigbade Ikuejube (Deputy Provost), Mrs. Olufisayo Fakorede (Registrar) and Mr. Ganiyu Abdul (Bursar).

Others were Deans and Directors, Heads of Directorates and Units. Also present were religious leaders, members of political class, traditional rulers and community leaders.