The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Lagos, has conferred its prestigious Fellowship Award on the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation and Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, during its 37th convocation ceremony.
The senator’s media aide, Kayode Odunaro, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Rector of the institution, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, said the award was presented to Adeola—popularly known as Yayi—in recognition of his contributions to the development of education and national growth.
Abdul added that Adeola’s consistent role and support towards the institution’s upgrade to a university over the years were highly appreciated.
Responding to the honour, Adeola, represented by Bolaji Oyeleye, reiterated his belief in sound education as the foundation for success in all endeavours, promising to continue supporting educational advancement at every level.
He said, ‘I am very delighted with this award from the renowned YABATECH. As a senator, I have made several attempts to upgrade YABATECH to a university of technology, considering its capacity and long-standing contributions to technological education.
‘In the 8th Senate (2015–2019), I sponsored a bill for the upgrade of the college to a university. The bill passed first and second readings before the Senate elapsed.
‘Again, in the 9th Senate (2019–2023), I re-sponsored the bill, and it was passed by the Senate but was not concurred to by the House of Representatives before the end of that session’.
Adeola, who chairs the 10th Senate Committee on Appropriations, commended the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, for reintroducing the bill, which has now been passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
He noted that the upgrade would significantly strengthen the institution’s capacity to produce highly skilled manpower for Nigeria’s industrial and technological sectors.
The senator also praised the Rector, the Governing Council, lecturers and students for the honour, saying the recognition would further motivate him to champion educational development across the country.
He pledged continued legislative support for the institution’s transition from a college of technology to a full-fledged university of technology.
Recently, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) commended Adeola for awarding scholarships and bursaries to over 3,000 students in Ogun West.
In a statement jointly signed by the NANS National Vice President (Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs), Akinbodunse Felicia; the Chairman of NANS Ogun, Francis Gabriel; and the National President of NAOSS, Thomas Kehinde, the student bodies said the senator’s ₦200,000 scholarships and ₦100,000 bursaries would greatly ease the financial burdens on beneficiaries.
They added that the intervention would help indigent students focus more on their studies while providing relief for their families.
