Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has advised Old Students of the school to prioritize the need to give back to their various almer mater as a show of appreciation for the values being impacted to them by the institutions.
Oke, who is also the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Presiding Bishop of Sword of The Spirit Ministries, gave the advice on Tuesday at the dedication of the ultra modern Temitayo Felix Owolabi Female Hostel at the PCU, Olaogun, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
In his address to the students of the university at the event, the Chancellor said, “To you my children, I pray that you will be great in life. When you have become very great I will like you to remember this institution. Old Students should be determined to give back to their alma mater as a show of love and commitment towards you the continued growth and development of the school that impacted values and knowledge in them.”
Oke, who was flanked by his wife, Victoria Tokunbo Oke, said, “We give all thanks to God for making the dedication of this magnificent hostel complex, the Temitayo Felix Owolabi Female Hostel at the PCU a reality.
“We appreciate the love and commitment that Reverend Dr Felix Owolabi and his wife, (Temitayo Owolabi) has shown to the course of this university.” He prayed that God would always be there for them.”
Representing the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the event, Segun Ogunwuyi, the Chief of Staff, lauded the initiative of the couple for their love for the promotion of education. While opening the facility for the use of the female students of the institution, he prayed that God would replenish the ability of the couple to do more.
Other leading personalities who expressed joy at the progress being made by the institution are former Minister for Special Duties,
Elder Wole Oyelese; former Military Governor of old Oyo State, Gen. Oladayo Popoola; and Dr Bayo Adegoke.
Checks by our Correspondent showed that the just completed female hostel was about to be roofed when the prices of building materials skyrocketed. When the management decided to resume construction, the cost of completion of the project was estimated at N450 million.
It was at that stage that Bishop Owolabi and his wife stepped in. “My initial intention was to give something as my contribution towards the project. But my wife urged me that we should pay for it in full.” Referring to his wife, he said, “I appreciate this lady for pushing me towards the great destiny that God has for me. I intended to give support but he told me not to bother writing any cheque because she had already emptied our account for the church.
“Also, when we decided to make a commitment towards the hostel project, she told me that we would be responsible for the total cost and not merely contribute. She has pushed me into a great destiny because in the past when I got to the United States of America newly ordinary $10 meant a lot to me. But today, a big amount of money that meant so much to me in time past does not have any value to me any longer.”
The students of the PCU expressed joy over the completion of the hostel building saying that it would bring them great relief.
