An Ibadan-based legal icon and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sir Kunle Kalejaye, has commended the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Ibadan, Nigeria (Chief Bisi Akande), for graciously donating his allowances to the Institution to take care of the needs of some students, saying that the initiative was a worthwhile one.
The former Osun State governor and former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had in a letter transmitted to the Registrar of the University said that he donated his allowances to deserving students studying Science courses. He said that his working for the University was not meant for personal gains but service to humanity.
Considering the decision to convert the allowances to take care of the needs of the students of the University as enviable, which he said many haves in the society should emulate in order to help the needy, Kalejaye, the Asiwaju of Ilese Ijebu in the Ijebu North East local government area of Ogun State, said he is also discharging such charitable and vicarious responsibility as done by Chief Akande.
In his reaction to the development, the Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC) of the Anglican Communion, told journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Saturday, that Chief Akande’s decision was lofty, but added that, “not out of pride, but for others in reputable positions to emulate and positively impact the lives of the indigent and needy in the society, I have equally been doing same since 2022” .Kalejaye described Chief Akande as a decent man whose style of life has been an inspiration to many including himself.
His words: “Whilst I praise Chief Akande for declining all emoluments as Chairman of Council of the University of Ibadan, I have also been doing this since the 25th of August, 2022 when I was graciously appointed as Chairman of of the Governing Council of the Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ilese-Ijebu, by the Governor, Omooba Dapo Abiodun, (CON).
“Not only did I refuse to draw my allowances and stipends, I refused the offer of a vehicle from the institution. That would have cost the school about N30 million! I ensured that even when I attended meetings, I went with my bottled water!
“My emoluments and allowances are in an escrow account with the Bursar, and It would be spent on the school and its students. As of today, the sum of three million, three hundred and sixty eight thousand naira (N3,368,000) is in that account. I believe that if God has blessed you and showed you grace and favour, you must, in service to Him and the society God placed you, show leadership and grace by not benefiting unnecessarily from positions of service.
“Also, we must cultivate the habit of non-acquisition of what is not necessary. Our public life would be better if people in authority, no matter how infinitesimal, show grace and what my father called “aayo okan” (self disciplined satisfaction, contentment) in whatever we do. Many don’t know, or if they know, they don’t care, that many of the things we acquire are not really needed by us.
“I thank Baba Akande for always being frugal and decent. He inspired many of us with his way of life!”, Kalejaye said.
