Sambo lauds UI’s decision to name centre after first math professor

Vice-President Namadi Sambo yesterday hailed University of Ibadan’s (UI) decision to establish mathematics centre in honour of first professor of mathematics in Nigeria, late Adegoke Olubummo.

Sambo spoke at the fund raiser for the Adegoke Olubummo International Mathematical Centre at UI.

Sambo, represented by Dr. Musa Babayo, Chairman, Tertiary Institutions Trust Fund (TETFUND) Board, described the initiative as one in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s repositioning agenda.

“I urge well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to identify with this project because our society stands to benefit a lot from it’’, he said.

Vice Chancellor of UI, Prof. Isaac Adewole said the centre would “derive nutrition from UI’’, adding that it would survive as the university had in the past 60 years.

“We will help the nation in developing the centre and its students. The centre will encourage the students to study mathematics’’, he said.

Prof. Ezekiel Ayoola, the Head of Mathematics Department, UI, said the centre would promote excellence in mathematics and the nation as a whole.

Ayoola said the centre would respond to national needs by providing access to expertise in the mathematical sciences to government agencies.

He added that the centre would be involved in advancing economic competitiveness by supporting the exchange of information with industry, national research centres and organisations.

Prof. Lateef Hussain of the Physics Department, UI, described the initiative as one in the right direction.

Hussain, represented by Prof. Temitope Alonge, the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, said Olubummo was an international man with recognised pedigree.

“By the establishment of the centre, history will be made and Nigerians will remember the first professor of mathematics’’, Hussain said.

Also, Prof. Olabisi Ugbebor of the Mathematics Department, UI, described the late professor as a thorough bred teacher, who taught simplicity and moderation.

Ugbebor said the honour was long overdue and expressed the hope that the centre would reach greater heights. (NAN)