Speaking about the need to raise the standard of living in the country, and how to enhance national institutions, Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, has admonished wealthy Nigerians to do more by imbibing the habit of giving. He said genuine contributions by philanthropists would go a long way to build better society and positively impact on the coming generation.
The Governor, represented by his deputy, Benedict Alabi, gave the admonition during a ceremony marking the 80th birthday of one of Nigeria’s elder statesmen and philanthropists, Prince Ponnle, in Ada, Osun State, early this week.
According to Governor Oyetola, “Despite the seeming corruption and other vices, there is still hope for Nigeria. The life of Chief Ponnle shows that men of character that are needed to rebuild Nigeria are still around here.”
Meanwhile the birthday ceremony doubled as a handing over ceremony of some of Prince Ponnle’s multi-million Naira property, as donations, to the University of Osun. The property comprises MicCom house and the MicCom Cancer Foundation, both named after the cable-wire firm, owned by the octogenarian.
Talking about what motivates him to keep supporting society health and education, Ponnle explained, “The progress of Nigeria remains the zeal that drives me to promote and support education in all forms. The death of my late wife, Comfort Ponnle gave birth to the Misson of Cancer Foundation in which 2,800 people in Osun have benefited so far”.
He added, “When God speaks to you, then you must obey. All that I am doing is education-oriented. The idea is to promote education in all forms which is what Nigeria needs to progress. My late wife died of cancer and she did receive treatment in the best cancer hospital in the world. After her death, we thought of something to immortalize her, and that is why we created the foundation.”
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Labode Popoola, specially thanked the donor for his immense gesture adding that the institution has since absorbed the staff of MicCom Cancer Foundation and promised to put the property to good use.
That is a good one