Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has charged the University of Ibadan to start the process of regaining its position as the intellectual capital of Africa.

Mr Makinde gave the charge on Saturday in Ibadan while unveiling the university’s 75th-anniversary billboard erected beside its Senate Building.

The governor called on the varsity’s management to reset the button on regaining its position and promised that the government would partner with it to make it an intellectual capital of the continent again.

Mr Makinde noted that the varsity used to be the intellectual capital of the African continent and not just of Nigeria, as ideas incubated at the institution went far and wide.

He noted that many leaders, especially from countries in the southern and eastern parts of Africa, had one interaction or another with the University of Ibadan in the past.

He hinted that the government would construct a pedestrian bridge in front of the varsity’s main gate to end the knocking down of students by motorists.

Mr Makinde solicited the cooperation of the university community, noting that the construction would cause a slight and temporary disruption of traffic in the area.

In his address of welcome earlier, the chairman of the anniversary committee, Prof. Peter Olapegba, commended Mr Makinde for his positive and significant disposition to the university.

He thanked Mr Makinde for being a true partner in the progress of the university.

(NAN)