NPUGA Executives Pay Courtesy Visit to ABUAD’s Vice-Chancellor

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Private University Games Association (NPUGA) paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI. The meeting, held on Thursday morning, April 3, 2025, in the Vice-Chancellor’s Board Room.

Leading the NPUGA delegation was the association’s President and ABUAD’s Deputy Director of Sports, Dr. Diyaolu Babajide, who outlined the purpose of the visit and introduced them to the Vice-Chancellor.

The Director of Sports, Prof. Edward Gboyega Babalola, commended the delegation’s punctuality, noting that their adherence to timekeeping which mirrored the values upheld by ABUAD’s Founder, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, CON, OFR, SAN. “The team, just like our Founder, keeps to time, as they arrived at my office by 8:45 a.m. for a meeting to commence at 9 O’Clock”

During the meeting, Prof. Babalola expressed appreciation for NPUGA’s visit and raised concerns regarding the scheduled date in August for the 2025 Games, which coincides with ABUAD’s vacation period. He appealed to the executives to consider adjusting the date to ensure full student participation. He also announced that the team would be taken on a tour of ABUAD’s Olympic-sized swimming pool, which is nearing completion at 90%.

In her welcome remark, Prof. Olarinde warmly received the NPUGA officials, highlighting ABUAD’s strong commitment to sports. She noted that the university, being 100% residential with an uninterrupted academic calendar since 2010, dedicates over three hours daily to sporting activities. “From 3:00 to 6:30-7:00 p.m. each day, our students actively engage in sports,” she emphasized.

The Vice-Chancellor also took the opportunity to commend the institution’s Founder, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, CON, OFR, SAN, alongside his wife, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, FSM, FNIMN, FFPA, and their son, Prof. Edward Babalola, for fostering a conducive environment for sports development.

She also applauded ABUAD’s commitment to female leadership, citing prominent women holding key administrative roles within the university. “I’m delighted to see a woman in your team, but you should come and learn from ABUAD, where women thrive in leadership. Our Registrar, Lady Christie Oluborode, the University Librarian, Dr. Roselyn Subair, the Provost College of Pharmacy, Professor (Mrs.) Mbang Nyong Femo-Oyewo MFR; the Dean of Nursing, Prof. Elizabeth Ojo; among other outstanding women in our institution.”

The courtesy visit was followed by executive meetings and a tour, which included a visit to ABUAD Planetarium, the first of its kind in Nigeria.

FROM THE VC’S DESK