The Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) will collaborate with the Kogi State University, Anyigba in their quest to bequeath a lasting legacy to future leaders of Nigeria.
The partnership will assist both institutions in course-contents; staff and students exchange programmes and ways of attracting funding without loosing focus on the elimination of rots from the University system.
Aare Afe Babalola (SAN, OFR, CON) who is also the Founder of ABUAD made the announcement at the Fourth Convocation Ceremony of the Kogi State University, Anyigba after being conferred with the University’s honourary Doctorate Degree(Doctor of Letters).
He expressed concern on how educational institutions are run in the country and urged the Federal government to look for more creative ways of running the nation’s higher institutions of learning to meet the purpose for which they were established.
Aare emphasized that the need for the collaboration, stemmed from the fact that Nigerian Universities will be assessed by the quality of graduates turn out yearly and the relevance of their researches to national needs.
He charged Nigeria Universities to produce graduates who would be job creators that would ensure developments and scientific breakthroughs in the country.
The Founder enjoined graduants to be good ambassadors of the University by demonstrating the academic and moral excellence instilled in them while in the Ivory Tower.
He called on well-meaning citizens of Kogi State to contribute to the development of the institution. Aare thanked the Executive Governor and Visitor to the University, Capt. Ichala Wada for his untiring efforts and support to the citadel of learning. He advised the Governor not to relent his efforts. Aare then declared the Governor as the best thing to have happened to education in Kogi State. He therefore awarded him an honour as the Most Outstanding Leader of Educational Development in Nigeria. He challenged Alumni Association of the school to contribute their quota to the development of their alma-Mata that gave them so much.
Governor Wada congratulating Aare
Earlier, the Visitor, Governor Wada had commended Aare for his determination to succeed in spite of many set-backs that could have waned his ambitions and aspirations. He opined that Aare’s first name should have been called “Philanthropy” because his passion for giving is matchless and unequalled. He called on Nigerians to emulate Aare who made Impossibility Possible, who choose the battles that matter and who disarmed his opponents without necessarily harming them.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of Kogi State University, Prof. Hassan Isah described Aare as an accomplished Nigerian who is patriotic and de-tribalised from whom unquantifiable numbers of citizens have truly experienced his goodness. He affirmed that Aare is truly God’s gift to humanity.
Prof Isah Hassan- VC, Kogi State University
He explained that the overall objective is to reward those who within the limitations of our system are still able to make a difference by rising above mediocrity and impacting positively on the lives of the people of the Nation. The award is hinged on goodness and objective achievements of trail-blazers, pathfinders, men and women whose works have had profound influence on the greater percentage of people.
In his acceptance speech, Aare Afe Babalola held the entire venue spellbound with his moving speech, which he delivered extempore. Aare said he felt elated and very humble by this conferment. Reminiscing about his humble beginning and the level of success that the mercies of God have enabled him to achieve, Aare said, he cannot thank God enough for all his blessings. 
He pondered on Nigeria sorry State, wondering why Nigeria has remained in the abyss of gross underdevelopment 52years after independence. He called for a new constitution that will allow parliamentary system of government to thrive. The octogenarian wondered why religious wars should keep re-occurring in the Country when the doctrine of love is the hallmark of both Christians and Muslims. He appealed to aggrieved groups to sheath their sword and stop killing innocent Nigerians.
Aare Afe Babalola then announced that his University, ABUAD will collaborate with Kogi State University in all fronts to elevate it to greater heights.
On funding, he called on the Federal government to increase the budgetary allocation meant for funding of tertiary institutions. According to him, the future of Nigeria depends not on standing Armies or the prowess of the modern Navy or Air force, but on the acquisition of knowledge adding that securing a better future, for the Nation, we must join the race for the acquisition of knowledge and trade in the universal market of ideas.
Present at the occasion were the Acting Chief Librarian, Mrs. Rosaline Zubair, the Director of Medical Centre (ABUAD), Dr. (Mrs.) Foluso Jubilee, the University Counselor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ojo, the Acting Provost, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr. Rotimi Sanya and the Director of Consulting, Dr. Igbatayo.
Other notable guests at the very colorful, well attended Convocation Ceremony were Senator (Dr), Col (Rtd) Chief Amadu Ali, Capt Idri Ichala Wada, Executive Governor of Kogi State, Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele of the House of Representative, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, the Pro-Chancellor of ABUAD and former Nigeria ambassador to Canada.