Ajimobi hails Akande’s emergence as first African-American president

Governor of Oyo State, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi has said the emergence of Dr. Benjamin Akande as the first African-American President of the Westminster College, United States is a welcome development. He said the choice of the president was in recognition of the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora to education. According to Governor Ajimobi, […]

Governor of Oyo State, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi has said the emergence of Dr. Benjamin Akande as the first African-American President of the Westminster College, United States is a welcome development.
He said the choice of the president was in recognition of the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora to education.
According to Governor Ajimobi, the contribution to education in the US of Dr. Akande, an indigene of Awe in Oyo State, was excellent.
The governor therefore encouraged other Nigerians abroad to emulate the commitment, dedication and competence of Dr. Akande, whom he described as a worthy ambassador of the state.
In a statement, Governor Ajimobi declared:  “The inauguration of Dr. Akande as Westminster’s new president is a proud moment for those of us from Oyo State; from Awe, Dr. Akande’s ancestral hometown, and it is a proud moment for all Nigerians.
“Dr. Akande is a symbol of excellence; an emblem of the endurance of the American dream, and the United States’ willingness to embrace and reward anyone who is willing to work hard and excel.
“This is the type of achievements that defines Nigerians as hardworking, honest and competent people, who work assiduously to attain the highest position in their chosen careers anywhere they find themselves across the world.”
Akande, 53, attended the Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas, United States, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He bagged his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Oklahoma and completed his post-doctoral studies at Harvard and Oxford universities.
Before his new appointment, Akande served as the Dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology, Webster University, St. Louis, US.
 Akande succeeded Dr. George Forsythe as the 21st president of Westminster, a liberal arts college founded 165 years ago. His predecessor had retired after serving for 10 years at the college.