The Chairman of the University of Ibadan Governing Council, Adebisi Akande, has instructed the institution to allocate allowances due to him to students studying science courses.

In a letter to the UI Registrar, Ganiyu Oke, Akande stated that he does not wish to receive any remuneration, requesting that his allowances be converted into scholarships for students in the Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology departments.

The former Osun State Governor added that in the event of his allowances being terminated, the university should draw funds from his Adebisi Akande Foundation to ensure that students benefiting from the scholarships are not left stranded.

The letter, dated 21 August 2024, reads: “I consider my appointment as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council for the University of Ibadan as a national call to service, from which I do not intend to earn any remuneration. However, if the position is entitled to any allowances, such as for attending meetings of the Governing Council and its committees, you would be kind enough to apply any payments due to me from such allowances solely for the benefit of deserving undergraduate students of this University who are studying science courses, namely in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology only.

“I expect the benefit to take the form of an endowment, such as annual scholarships or other awards to cover the cost of accommodation and other officially approved fees charged by the University for such deserving science students.

“In the event that any anticipated allowances to me from this University appointment are terminated by whatever circumstances, to prevent any student beneficiaries of this endowment arrangement from becoming stranded, the Adebisi Akande Foundation, already incorporated for similar purposes, would augment any shortfall arising from such commitments incurred from the awards.”

Akande was appointed the Pro-Chancellor of the university by President Bola Tinubu on 15 June 2024.

PUNCH