Ondo State Government said it would continue to breed new inspired leaders in the academic environment with result-orientated programmes through workshops and conferences.

The State Deputy Governor, Chief Olayide Adelami gave the assurance while addressing the First International Conference of Olusegun Agagu University Leadership Academy, held at the OAUSTECH campus, Okitipupa,

Adelami who was represented by Dr Adekola Falohun, acknowledged the laudable infrastructural re-engineering on the campus, describing it as a testament to the quality leadership of the State Governor and Visitor to the institution.

The Deputy Governor said the pandemic of global warming resulting from environmental degradation calls for synergetic and concerted efforts as human activities at various levels have created distortions in our ecosystem.

He described the conference as timely and contemporaneous.

Adelami said, “in line with the United Nations agenda on climate change, the establishment of great green wall amongst numerous strategic policies put in place to fight desertification and restore our ecosystem becomes imperative.”

He added that he is particularly pleased to see the emphasis placed on nurturing the next generation of leaders and Innovations, as we strive to address the complex challenges of our time

The Chairman on the occasion and the former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle AJasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, appreciated the efforts of the Vice Chancellor of OAUSTECH, Professor Temitope Ologunorisa, for turning around the university within the shortest period of his appointment as the Vice-Chancellor.

He said the university which was the shadow of itself has been changed to a place of pride, and urged other development partners to join hand in the development as government cannot do it alone.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Temitope Ologunorisa, said a department has been created to incorporate Maritime Academy to show the uniqueness of the university to the world.

The Vice- Chancellor, who explained that the privilege the university has other universities in the state do not have it, also assured that manpower would be trained from the Maritime Academy which is to be resided at Ugbonla as permanent site for the Maritime Academy.

According to him, the construction of the Academy site was in progress but the contractor abandoned the work.

Ologunorisa appealed to the Ondo State Government to intervene and order the contractor back to site, adding the Academy would provide the needed manpower when the Ondo Deep Seaport begins operation in the state.

The Acting Director, OAUSTECH Leadership Academy, Dr Cecilia Oluwamodupe, said the Academy when completed would bring the expected development and reduce the unemployment in the state and the country at large.