Bamidele gifts 1,564 matriculating Ekiti varsity students rice, yam, cash

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has gifted each of the 1,564 pioneer students of the newly-established Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State, a bag of 10kg rice, some tubers of yam, and cash.

Bamidele, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the university in 2025, announced the donation of the items during the matriculation of the students into various faculties for the 2025/2026 academic session on Friday, February 27, 2026.

The elated senator, whose country home hosts the institution, said he decided to give the newly-admitted students the items in order to put smiles on their faces.

Aside presenting congratulatory letters to each of the students, Bamidele also pledged to donate N200 million annually for five years to the institution for research purposes.

“It is from the abundance of my heart that I am exploring this auspicious occasion to congratulate you dearly on your matriculation today as one of the pioneer students of our noble ivory tower, FUTES, Iyin-Ekiti,” said the senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

The Senate Leader, who thanked President Bola Tinubu for making the establishment of the university a reality, described the institution as a community and personal dream which had now become a reality.

While noting that the university took off from its temporary site, Bamidele assured that no stone would be left unturned to relocate to the permanent site.

Bamidele stated that presently, the institution has four faculties – Faculties of Natural and Applied Sciences; Engineering and Technology, Environmental Sciences and Computing – adding that the university would add three more faculties, including medicine, when relocated to its permanent site.

Also speaking, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji said the event was not merely a ceremonial rite but a landmark in the educational journey of the state and indeed the nation.

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Oyebanji, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Tertiary Education, Prof. Akeem Azeez, said the university signified the birth of a city of learning that would shape minds, nurture innovation and inspire generations to come.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gbenga Aribisala, urged the matriculating students to remain focused and shun indiscipline.

Aribisala said: “For anyone to earn a degree from this university, the person should be fit in character and learning.

“The university has zero tolerance for drug abuse, sexual abuse (both staff and students) and membership of secret cult.

“The Senate of the university has constituted relevant committees to deal with all manners of misconduct. My prayer is that you will all be present at the first convocation.”

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the university started academic activities in less than one year of its establishment with 36 departments and four faculties.

“We are laying a solid foundation for advancement in technology and environmental sciences with the quality of staff and students,” he said.

On his part, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeola Ajakaye, assured the students that Iyin-Ekiti is home to them, just as he reiterated his support to them.

The Star