Bisi Akande: My allowances as UI pro-chancellor will go to scholarship fund

Bisi Akande, pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council at the University of Ibadan (UI), says he will donate his allowances to support science scholarships for deserving students.

In a memorandum addressed to Ganiyu Saliu, registrar and secretary to the governing council, Akande described his appointment as a call to national service.

The former governor of Osun state said his allowances should be used to cover essential expenses for students studying mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology at the university.

”I consider my appointment as the Pro-Chancellor and as the Chairman of Council for the University of Ibadan as a national call to service from which I do not intend to earn any remuneration,” the memorandum reads.

“However, if the position is entitled to any allowances, for example for attending meetings of the Governing Council and its committees in accordance with the prior approvals of the Federal Government of Nigeria, you will be kind enough to assist me to apply any payments which may be due to me from such allowances solely for the benefits of some deserving undergraduate students of this University who are offering Science courses, namely in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology only.

“I expect the benefit to be in the form of a kind of endowment for something like annual scholarships or any other form of awards so as to cover the cost of accommodation and other officially approved fees charged by the University for such deserving science students.

“I suggest that the Dean of Student Affairs office or any such University Academic officer shall be involved in coordinating the selection of such eligible science students.

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

“This memo is being copied to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the said Adebisi Akande Foundation to enable him liaise with you for an efficient and smooth implementation of this directive.”