Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for the establishment of engineering endowment funds to drive critical national development.

Mr Adeleke made the call on Thursday at the N150 million MicCom Memorial Endowment for Engineering Development held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The endowment fund was instituted in memory of the late (Michael) Ponnles, pioneers in Nigeria’s industrial and engineering landscape.

The deceased were founders of MicCom Cables, Nigeria’s first indigenous cable manufacturing company and MicCom Golf Resort Centre, Ada in Osun.

The governor said engineering endowments promote academic excellence by supporting bright and deserving students. He added that such initiatives strengthen research and innovation, noting that no nation can develop beyond the depth of its knowledge systems.

“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.

Mr Adeleke commended the Ponnle family for initiating the endowment for engineering students in the university.

“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.

Bukola Adubi, the deceased’s daughter, said the endowment was designed to serve several important purposes. Ms Adubi said it seeks to encourage academic excellence and 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 the initiative seeks to immortalise the remarkable legacy of her late parents and create a lasting platform for developing future generations of engineers.

The vice-chancellor of OAU, Simeon Bamire, said the memorial endowment fund represents a visionary investment in the core drivers of sustainable development – engineering education and innovation.

“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,” Mr Bamire said. 

(NAN)