Methodist Prelate Hails FG’s Infrastructural Development In Niger Delta
Oru Leonard
The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Emeka Kanu Uche has lauded the Federal Government’s infrastructural development in the Niger Delta region, saying he was impressed by the quality of roads and other projects in the region.
The Clergy said this at Alfred Daramola Memorial Methodist Church, Tanke, Ilorin, Kwara state, at the thanksgiving service in honour of the Honourable Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Prof. Claudius Omoleye Daramola, on his retirement from the University of Ilorin, over the weekend.
Prelate Kanu used the occasion to pray for peace in Nigeria towards the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria. He urged all Nigerians to guard against countries that are bent on planting seeds of discord in Nigeria.
He commended the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani and the Honourable Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Prof. Claudius Omoleye Daramola for their efforts at developing the region in the past three and half years.
His Eminence appealed to the Ministers to liaise with the Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to come to the aid of Westley University, Ondo, the institution owned by Methodist Church Nigeria, saying the institution was in dire need of an administrative block..
In his response, the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, promised that efforts would be made to meet the request of the Clergyman.
The Minister added that he enjoyed the good working relationship between him and the Minister of state, Prof. Daramola in the past three and half years of this administration.
Earlier, Presenting his speech titled, “It is well with you, Prof,” at the retirement reception organised by the Department of Social Sciences Education, University of Ilorin, at the Faculty of Education Board room of the institution, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulayman Abdulkareem, represented by Prof. Bolaji Fatai Sule, said “I am happy to be here to witness and participate in this programme of retirement for Prof. Claudius Omoleye Daramola, Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“He is one of the shining lights of this university from Faculty of Education and Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education. He is also a gift to the Federal Government of Nigeria from all of us and we are proud of him,” the Vice Chancellor reiterated.
Prof. Daramola officially retired from the services of the University of Ilorin over the weekend, at the statory age of 70 after 34 years.
It would be recalled that Prof. Daramola was a Professor of Sociology of Education in the University of Ilorin until he was appointed Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs by President Muhammadu Buhari in November, 2015.
The Vice Chancellor added: “As a scholar, today’s celebrant is a proud Alumnus of three federal universities; University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto), University of Jos and University of Ilorin where he bagged his first, second and PhD degrees respectively.”
He reiterated that It was at the University of Ilorin that this Ode-Aye born Professor of Arts and Social Sciences Education got the best opportunity to express himself most, imparting knowledge, supervising several M.Sc and PhD students. He also joined several of his colleagues on accreditation exercises to many of Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. This is apart from external examiner’s duties.
“Finishing strong and without blemish is the wish of every young career minded worker and that is why I am happy for Prof Daramola. This administration appreciates you, your sacrifices and contributions to this exalted institution which cannot be wiped away even by your retirement.” Sulayman stressed.
Part of the highlights of the retirement programme included the dedication of a Church building and musical instruments donated to Alfred Daramola Memorial Methodist Church, Tanke, Ilorin, by the family of the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Prof. Claudius Omoleye Daramola, in the memory of his late father, Pa Alfred Daramola.
The gestures were commended by the Prelate of Methodist Chucrch Nigeria, saying the Church was built at a time Nigeria needed God most.
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Prof. Claudius Omoleye Daramola, thanked the members of Alfred Daramola Memorial Methodist Church, Tanke Ilorin, the University of Ilorin community and all well-wishers, for hosting a befitting retirement reception in his honour.
