Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has advocated the creation of engineering endowment funds as a strategic pathway to accelerate Nigeria’s development.
He made this appeal on Thursday during the launch of the N150 million MicCom Memorial Endowment for Engineering Development at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
The endowment was established in honour of the late Mr and Mrs Michael Ponnle, trailblazers in Nigeria’s industrial and engineering sector. The couple founded MicCom Cables, the country’s first indigenous cable manufacturing firm, as well as the MicCom Golf Resort Centre in Ada, Osun State.
Adeleke noted that engineering-focused endowments play a crucial role in nurturing academic excellence by supporting talented and deserving students. According to him, such initiatives also deepen research capacity and innovation, stressing that a nation’s progress is tied to the strength of its knowledge base.
“They bridge the gap between theory and practice, encouraging stronger alignment between academia and industry.
“They also instil leadership and ethical responsibility, ensuring that engineers are not only skilled but also guided by integrity and a sense of national duty,” he said.
The governor praised the Ponnle family for championing the initiative, describing it as both visionary and impactful.
“I particularly commend the Ponnle family for this thoughtful and visionary initiative.
“This endowment reflects not only love and remembrance but also responsibility and foresight.
“By choosing to invest in education and future generations, you have ensured that the legacy of your parents will not be confined to history but will remain a living force,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs Bukola Adubi explained that the fund was created to achieve multiple objectives, including fostering academic excellence and encouraging innovation among engineering students.
“By providing resources to support outstanding students, the endowment will nurture talented individuals with the potential to contribute meaningfully to technological advancement in Nigeria.
“It also aims to promote research and intellectual inquiry within the engineering disciplines,” she said.
She added that beyond its educational goals, the initiative is designed to preserve the legacy of her parents while serving as a platform to groom future generations of engineers.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Simeon Bamire, described the fund as a forward-looking investment in engineering education and innovation—key pillars of sustainable development.
“This fund will empower us to foster academic excellence through cutting-edge research, provide vital scholarships to deserving students, upgrade facilities and nurture the next generation of engineers,” he said.
