TASFUED Reacts To Publications Condemning Giving Out Of Doctorate Degrees To Deserving Individuals

The management of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED) has cleared the air on the award of honourary degrees to deserving individuals in the country.

In a statement issued on Friday titled; “Award Of Honouria Causa By The Tai Solarin Federal University of Education: Putting The Records Straight,” the Registrar and Secretary to Council of the University, Dapo Oke, said that the recent honourary awards given out by the university is a long standing tradition of the institution.

“The Management of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, notes with utmost concern recent, malicious, and deliberately misleading publications circulating in the media aimed at sowing discord and misinforming the public regarding the Institution’s conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees.

“For the avoidance of doubt, and to set the record unequivocally straight, the University affirms that its longstanding tradition has been to confer an Honorary Doctorate Degree on Civilian Governors of Ogun State, in recognition of their Executive stewardship and support for public Education.

“This tradition is a matter of verifiable public record.

“His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the visionary founder of this University, was rightly honoured as the first serving Governor to receive the award in 2010.
His successor, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was similarly honoured.

“Furthermore, the scope of this honour extends beyond State governance to celebrate exemplary national and global contributions.

“During the University’s 10th Anniversary in 2015, distinguished figures including former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, CON, were duly honoured. Others are Sir Kensington Adebutu, Asiwaju Adebola Adegunwa,Dr Tunde Lemo among others,” he said.

Oke added that in the established context, the recent conferment upon Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, CON, the Governor of Ogun State, is neither anomalous nor extraordinary.

He said that it is a continuation of a consistent institutional practice applied to all Civilian Governors of the State.

Oke added; “Regarding Aremo Olusegun Osoba, CFR, his historic and indelible contribution is separately and highly esteemed.

“His signature, as Governor during the Third Republic, enacted the legislative bill that transformed the former Tai Solarin College of Education into a Degree-awarding institution—a pivotal act in our institutional metamorphosis.

“It must also be clarified that this recognition is not exclusive to Governors. The University has, over time, honoured all Paramount Rulers in Ogun State, alongside other preeminent Nigerians whose transformative contributions have significantly advanced national development.

“The Management, therefore, condemns in strong terms this attempt to distort facts and stir unnecessary disaffection. We urge the public to disregard this misinformation and affirm our unwavering commitment to recognising excellence and distinguished service in accordance with our established traditions and institutional prerogative.”