The Olomu of Omu-Aran, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti on Friday 19th October 2018, lauded Landmark University’s vision of agrarian revolution which he described as apt towards salvaging Nigeria’s economic crisis. This was stated by Oba Oladele Adeoti during the courtesy visit of the Vice-Chancellor, Landmark University, Professor Adeniyi Olayanju to his palace as part of the University’s move to further strengthen the existing town-gown relationship in view of a mutual sustainable socioeconomic development.

“Presently, Landmark is a centre of excellence academically. We are happy about the University. We have seen what you are doing. We have seen your products everywhere and when we talk about agricultural mechanization, we can be bold of Landmark University. This means Nigeria cannot develop without agriculture at both subsistence and mechanized levels. Nigeria should go back to the good old days when agriculture was its economic mainstay with the regional resources of the groundnut pyramid in the north, the oil palm in the east, the cocoa and coffee in the west and rubber in the Midwest,” he stated. He, therefore, expressed his desire for the University to also diversify into economic products that will further put the community and the state in limelight, thereby drawing a population to the community. “See how you can pull population to Omu-Aran through your products. I want you to go beyond cash cropping to economic cropping that will create a regional market in Omu-Aran,” he added. He noted that the strategic location of Omu-Aran, connecting Kogi, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo, is of great economic importance to the University and the community at large. 

The Olomu appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for the thoughtful visit and particularly thanked the Chancellor of the University, Dr. David Oyedepo for his goodwill by citing the University in Omu-Aran. He expressed happiness over the peace and harmony in the community that have culminated in the wellbeing of the University. He emphasized that there is no gainsaying that Omu-Aran is hospitable, noting the prevalent rhythmic coexistence among the people without any reservation for religious bigotry and the positive effect on the socioeconomic welfare of the community.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adeniyi Olayanju had congratulated the Olomu in particular on his ascension to the throne and generally the entire people of Omu-Aran on the achievement as well as the anticipated development of the community during his reign. Professor Olayanju emphasized that Landmark University in the last 8 years of its existence had been a major partner in progress to Omu-Aran, validating her community development responsibility. Professor Olayanju revealed that this was not unconnected to the peaceful ambience Omu-Aran provides for the University to thrive. He noted that the University had enjoyed support from the community through the provision of both human and material resources needed for the actualization of her agrarian vision. In this regard, Professor Olayanju stated that this has upscaled the economic fortune of Omu-Aran, thereby improving the standard of living of the people. 

In view of a more sustainable and mutually beneficial development, Professor Olayanju solicited a renewed and continuous support of the community for the University to explore both national and global opportunities that would bring about the desired development in the University and the community. He revealed that currently the University had been able to go beyond the four walls of the campus, acquiring farmland and properties for the expansion of her agricultural and educational engagements in the community and environs. According to the Vice-Chancellor, the expansion will create new job opportunities and facilitate industrial partnerships as well as foreign investments. Professor Olayanju, therefore, emphasized that with the significant position of the institution in the global education arena as the first and only private agriculture-based University in Nigeria, it will continue to signpost the community for development globally.  

On the Vice-Chancellor’s entourage were the Special Assistant to the Chancellor on IGR, Dr. (Mrs.) R.F. Adebayo, the Coordinator, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Dr. S. Dahunsi, the Senior Assistant Registrar, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mr. J.O. Olajide, , the Head, Corporate and Public Affairs, Mrs Ngozi Osueke and Dr. Lawal Adedoyin, a lecturer in the University and Omu-Aran youth leader