The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has inaugurated the visitation panel for the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, stating that the exercise is crucial for evaluating the institution’s progress and determining the necessary support from the state government.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Monday at the Governor’s Office in Akure, the Governor explained that the visitation is meant to be a regular assessment conducted every five years to review the university’s growth, challenges, and overall performance.
He emphasized that with a new Vice-Chancellor now in charge, it is the duty of the government to have a clear understanding of the university’s current status to determine how best to support its development.
“As a government, we need to know the actual position of the university so that we can provide the necessary assistance for its growth. That is why this panel has been put in place. You have been carefully selected to carry out this responsibility, and I have no doubt that your work will lead to further advancements and add more value to the institution,” the Governor said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa urged the panel members to ensure that the new Vice-Chancellor is well-informed about every aspect of the university’s operations to facilitate effective administration and decision-making.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the chairman of the visitation panel, Prof. Gbenga Olumekun, who is the Director of the University Advancement Office at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, assured that the panel would carry out its duties with professionalism and objectivity.
“We recognize the importance of this assignment and the expectations placed upon us. We will engage with all relevant stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive review, and provide recommendations that will enhance the university’s capacity to fulfill its mission,” Prof. Olumekun said.
Meanwhile, Governor Aiyedatiwa has assured the National Population Commission (NPC) of his administration’s full support in carrying out its mandate, emphasizing the crucial role of accurate population data in effective governance and sustainable development.
The Governor made this commitment on Monday during a courtesy visit by the management staff of the National Population Commission, Ondo State chapter, led by the newly inaugurated Federal Commissioner for the state, Mrs. Olukemi Victoria Iyantan, at the Governor’s Office in Akure.
Welcoming the delegation, Governor Aiyedatiwa stated that governance is fundamentally about serving the people, and for any government to plan effectively, reliable demographic data is indispensable.
He noted that the state government depends on the commission’s efforts to generate accurate population figures, which would guide policies, infrastructure development, healthcare, and other essential services.
He further emphasized that his administration has no choice but to support the commission’s initiatives, as the government relies on its findings to make informed decisions that will benefit the people of Ondo State.
“The work of the National Population Commission is indispensable. As a government, we depend on this initiative, and we will support you within the resources available. We need comprehensive data on population distribution in terms of age, location, and other demographic factors to properly structure our policies and budget allocations,” he added.
The governor urged the commission to ensure that its data collection process is thorough and accurate, as it would serve as a foundation for making strategic developmental decisions in the state.
Earlier in her remarks, the Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Iyantan, expressed appreciation to the governor for his support in securing her appointment, as well as his commitment to working closely with the commission.
Iyantan, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024, stated that part of her visit was to discuss areas of collaboration between the commission and the state government.
She emphasized the importance of population data in governance, explaining that understanding the exact number of people in the state is essential for tackling various socio-economic issues.
Mrs. Iyantan further highlighted the synergy between President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Our Ease Agenda, stating that both policies aim at making life easier for the people and fostering sustainable development in Ondo State.
She stressed that the NPC would work closely with the state government to generate vital population data that would guide investments in key sectors.
