Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor Celebrate Members for Their Commitment to the Birth and Approval of the University
The Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor of Owolabi University, Oke-Ila Orangun, Bishop Felix Owolabi and Bishop Temitayo Owolabi, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, hosted members of the Planning and Implementation Committee (PIC) at a special mini reception in appreciation of their commitment, sacrifices and invaluable contributions to the establishment and approval of the University.
The reception, held at the residence of the Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor, provided an opportunity for the proprietors and members of the committee to reflect on the journey that culminated in the birth and successful approval of Owolabi University, while celebrating the teamwork, trust and dedication that characterised the process.
The event commenced at exactly 11:00 a.m. and was moderated by the Pioneer Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Owolabi University, Apostle Omotayo Babalola.
In attendance were the Chancellor, Bishop Felix Owolabi; the Pro-Chancellor, Bishop Temitayo Owolabi; and members of the Planning and Implementation Committee. The committee members were introduced by its Secretary, Dr Rafiu Babatunde Ibrahim.
Those present included the Chairman, Professor S. B. Adedotun, who has since assumed office as the Vice-Chancellor of Owolabi University; Barrister Prof. Olusegun Durotolu; Professor Oludele Awodele; Prof. Monsuru Adeleke; Prof. James Oludare Agbolade; and apologies from Mr Ibrahim Mufutau Adesina and Prof. Emmanuel Adedapo Akande
“We Never Take What You Have Done for Granted”
In her welcome address, the Pro-Chancellor, Bishop Temitayo Owolabi, expressed profound appreciation to the members of the Planning and Implementation Committee for their dedication to the University’s planning and establishment process.
She acknowledged the commitment of the committee from the earliest stages of planning, noting that the members were brought together as part of God’s purpose for the University.
“We want to use this medium to thank you and appreciate all your efforts, from the beginning of the planning, and how God chose everyone who had served in this Owolabi University Planning Committee. We never take all that you have done for granted,” she said.
The Pro-Chancellor’s remarks reflected the spirit behind the reception: not merely a social gathering, but a deliberate expression of gratitude to the professionals who invested their time, knowledge and experience in laying the foundation for the new university.
Chancellor: “This Is God’s Project”
The Chancellor, Bishop Felix Owolabi, also expressed his appreciation to the committee members and gave glory to God for the successful journey.
He particularly recalled the various meetings of the committee and thanked God for the safe journeys of members who travelled to attend the meetings.
Bishop Owolabi also spoke about the diversity of the committee’s membership. He recalled that, when the committee was constituted, he observed that it included people from different religious backgrounds, which he welcomed.
According to him, he is not religiously biased and was comfortable working with people irrespective of their religious backgrounds.
He explained that his relationship with God is rooted in his gratitude for God’s goodness to him, rather than in discrimination against people of other faiths.
The Chancellor used the occasion to pray for the members of the committee, expressing his wish that each member would continually receive good news concerning themselves and their families.
His remarks underscored one of the defining features of the University’s establishment journey: the coming together of professionals with diverse backgrounds around a common vision.
Professor Adedotun: “I Give All the Glory to God”
The moderator, Apostle Omotayo Babalola, thereafter invited the Chairman of the Planning and Implementation Committee and current Vice-Chancellor of Owolabi University, Professor S. B. Adedotun, to give his remarks.
Professor Adedotun began by giving all glory to God for the successful completion of the assignment.
He took the gathering through the history of the committee’s journey, recalling how he was invited to help “midwife the birth” of Owolabi University.
He acknowledged the important roles played by each member of the committee, stressing that the successful approval of the University was a collective achievement.
According to him, every member brought something valuable to the table, and the contributions of the individual professionals ultimately combined to produce the success story that Owolabi University represents today.
Professor Adedotun also expressed appreciation to Bishop Felix Owolabi and Bishop Temitayo Owolabi for the confidence and trust they reposed in the committee.
He emphasised that trust was fundamental to the success of the process, noting that without the confidence of the proprietors, the journey could have been truncated.
He further recalled the approval of a major academic course, describing the development as another indication that the University project was God’s project.
Committee Members Reaffirm Commitment
Three members of the Planning and Implementation Committee — Professor Monsuru Adeleke, Barrister Professor Olusegun Durotolu and Professor Oludele Awodele — spoke on behalf of the committee.
In their separate remarks, they expressed appreciation to the Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor for the opportunity to serve and for the encouragement and support extended to the committee throughout the process.
They acknowledged the confidence reposed in them by the proprietors and described the trust given to the committee as a major factor in its ability to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
The committee members also reaffirmed their commitment to the continued growth and development of Owolabi University.
Their remarks demonstrated that, even though the establishment and approval process had reached a major milestone, the spirit of service and dedication to the University remained strong.
A Celebration of Teamwork, Trust and Service
The mini reception provided more than an opportunity for appreciation. It became a celebration of teamwork, professional expertise, trust and shared vision.
From the early planning meetings to the rigorous processes associated with the establishment and approval of the University, members of the Planning and Implementation Committee contributed their expertise towards translating the vision of the proprietors into an institution of higher learning.
The gathering also reinforced the relationship between the proprietors and the professionals who helped to lay the University’s foundation.
For Owolabi University, the reception was therefore a symbolic moment — a recognition of those who worked behind the scenes and contributed to bringing the University’s dream to reality.
An Endearing Moment of Appreciation
The meeting came to an end at about 1:00 p.m., approximately two hours after it began.
The formal proceedings were followed by photographs and refreshments, as the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and members of the Planning and Implementation Committee shared memorable moments together.
Also in attendance were the university’s Bursar, Mr Festus Oladokun, the admin officer, Miss Opeyemi Ayantomi, and Miss Blessing Olori, who assisted the university PRO.
The special reception will remain a significant chapter in the story of Owolabi University — a moment when the University’s proprietors paused to say thank you to the professionals whose commitment, expertise and sacrifice helped to lay the foundation for a new institution.
As Owolabi University moves into its next phase, the spirit of collaboration that characterised the Planning and Implementation Committee remains an important part of the University’s history and continuing journey.
Owolabi University, Oke-Ila Orangun — a vision born in faith, nurtured through teamwork and built on a foundation of service and excellence.
Apostle Omotayo Olagunju Babalola writes from Osogbo and he is the PRO of Owolabi University.
