The Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, on Friday gifted each of the 1,564 pioneer students of the newly-established Federal University of Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State, a bag of 10kg rice, some tubers of yam and cash.

The institution was established in 2025.

Mr Bamidele, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the university, announced the donation of the items during the students’ matriculation into various faculties for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The elated senator, whose country home hosts the institution, said that he decided to give the newly-admitted students the items to put smiles on their faces.

Aside presenting congratulatory letters to each of the students, Mr Bamidele also pledged to donate N200 million annually for five years to the institution for research purposes.

“It is from the abundance of my heart that I am exploring this auspicious occasion to congratulate you dearly on your matriculation today as one of the pioneer students of our noble ivory tower, FUTES, Iyin-Ekiti,” he said.

The senate leader thanked President Bola Tinubu for making the establishment of the university a reality.

Mr Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central senatorial district, described the university as a community and personal dream which had now become a reality.

“I pay special tribute to all those God has used to bring this to reality,” he said.

Noting that the university took off from its temporary site, Mr Bamidele assured that no stone would be left unturned to relocate to the permanent site.

He said that at the moment the institution has four faculties: Faculties of Natural and Applied Sciences; Engineering and Technology, Environmental Sciences and
Computing.

The senator said that the institution would add three more faculties, including medicine, when it relocates to its permanent site.

The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gbenga Aribisala, in his address, urged the matriculating students to remain focused and shun indiscipline.

“I like to inform you that the university will not tolerate any form of indiscipline or misconduct.

“For anyone to earn a degree from this university, the person should be fit in character and learning. The university has zero tolerance for drug abuse, sexual abuse (both staff and students) and membership of secret cult.

“The Senate of the university has constituted relevant committees to deal with all manners of misconduct. My prayer is that you will all be present at the first convocation,” Mr Aribisala said.

He, however, expressed happiness with the conduct of the students so far.

“The report from our professors is that you are all seated in the lecture halls before lecturers get to your classes.

“I personally noticed your industry as some of you even come to the library and classes to study when there are no lectures, including Saturdays. Please keep this up,” he said.

The vice-chancellor said that the university started academic activities in less than one year of its establishment with 36 departments and four faculties.

“Today is historic and a great milestone in university education in Nigeria. We are laying a solid foundation for advancement in technology and environmental sciences with the quality of staff and students.

“Our motto is ‘Innovation for Sustainable Future.’ I like to congratulate all the students and their parents/guardians on this historic moment as the first set of students.

“This, to me, is divine. God has already positioned you as alumni leaders and the future of the university,” he added.

Also speaking, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, said that the event was not merely a ceremonial rite but a landmark in the educational journey of the state and indeed the nation.

Mr Oyebanji, represented by his Special Adviser on Tertiary Education, Prof. Akeem Azeez, said that the university signified the birth of a city of learning that would shape minds, nurture innovation and inspire generations to come.

“This institution, dedicated to technology and environmental sciences, is strategically positioned to address the pressing challenges of our time.

“We are ensuring that our youths are equipped with these skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly evolving society,” he said.

In her remarks, Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Senator Binta Garba, quoted the Holy Bible saying: “Though they beginnings might be small, thy latter end shall be greatly increased” and “Despise not the days of little or small beginnings, your latter end shall be greatly increased.”:

She said, “You as the pioneer students, you are the block of the foundation that tomorrow will be glad that you began the good work.

“Visualise yourself that tomorrow, I’m going to be a bridge builder. Visualise yourself that tomorrow, you are going to be a nation builder.”

On his part, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeola Ajakaye, assured the students that Iyin-Ekiti would be home to them.

He said that as pioneer students, they might encounter challenges, but the palace was there to support them.

(NAN)