Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun, has urged the government to fix the deplorable Atan-Agbara road and alleviate the sufferings of the university, its community and environs.
Simpson made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as the Faith-based institution began activities heralding its 12th Convocation.
NAN reports that the convocation ceremony of the 20-year-old institution, owned by the Apostolic Faith Mission, West and Central Africa (WECA), comes up on Dec. 9 at the university’s multipurpose hall.
Simpson, who spoke on behalf of the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Reuben Kolo, said the deplorable condition of the road had discouraged many parents from visiting their wards while in school.
“We are once again calling on government and the authorities concerned to help fix Atan-Agbara road. This is a road that leads to the economic hub of not only Ogun State but Nigeria.
“Many parents of our students are often discouraged from coming to visit them because of the state of the road. Coming here requires great sacrifice because most of them will have to use pain killers.
“The road is in a terrible state, almost impassable during the rainy season and we are calling on government to help fix the road to help the communities on this axis.
“We are not oblivious of the importance of the road to the university and to other institutions and companies around the communities,’’ she said.
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On how the institution has fared during the COVID-19 pandemic which necessitated the suspension of academic activities, a move to stem the spread of the virus, Alaba said the university came up with various interventions.
“What we first did was to put our thinking cap on and come up with measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 and by God’s grace we are among the first university to produce sanitizers.
“We are producing sanitizers and distributing it freely to the communities around. We also went round the communities close and some far to distribute palliatives.
“The university was able to distribute food items such as bread, condiments and others to the communities, we did not leave them to their fate.
“The university also provided hand washing basins which were made available all over and also some facemasks were given out to visitors of the university,’’ she said.
NAN reports that activities lined-up for the 12th Convocation of the university began on Wednesday, Dec. 2, with the Inter-Collegiate Debate facilitated by the Debating Society.
Also, a Convocation Concert at 5 p.m. held at the Multipurpose Hall on the same day.
On Thursday, Dec. 3, the Management and Parents Forum began at the College of Arts and Communication Studies at 12 noon, to be followed by a special Keep-Fit Marathon for Staff members and students to exercise.
A football match between staff and students will hold on Saturday Dec. 5, at the Sports Field.
There will also be a special Thanksgiving Service on Sunday Dec. 6 at the university’s Chapel.
A program titled, “Town-Meets-Gown’’, in which Crawford University meets with community royalties, representatives and community members will come up on Monday Dec. 7.
To round up the Convocation Week events, an Alumni Reunion program will hold on Tuesday Dec. 8, the eve of the 12th Convocation.
The convocation holds on Wednesday, Dec. 9, when the university will confer First and Higher degrees on grandaunts.
The occasion will be presided over by the Chancellor of the university, Rev. Emmanuel Adeniran, who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees.
Prof. Peter Okebukola, OFR, the Pro-Chancellor and the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe will respectively address the gathering at the occasion.
The 12th Convocation lecture entitled “Entrepreneurship: Its Impact on Youth and National Development’’, will be delivered by Francis Layiwola Fatona, Ph.D., DSc. (NAN)