The Center for Black Culture and International Understanding, a UNESCO Category II Institute in Osogbo is set to pioneer the establishment of Afe Babalola Museum, Archive and Research Bureau.
The agreement in principle was reached on Thursday when a team of the CBCIU led by its Executive Director, Prof Siyan Oyeweso met with the Management of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti led by the Founder of the institution, Aare Afe Babalola SAN in Ado-Ekiti.
The bureau, which will be located inside the Afe Babalola University, will house archival materials, historical documents and research materials, will be modelled after the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
In his short presentation, Oyeweso, who is a professor of history, commended Babalola for his contribution to the educational development in the country.
Oyeweso went ahead to discuss the importance of the bureau on the campus of the institution, stating that it will not only project the school as an institution rich in culture but also house the records of the founder.
“What we’re currently doing at the CBCIU is to digitalize all the archival materials collected from German Scholar, Ulli Beier and also from libraries and research centers around the world.
“I wish to also state that your University is really doing well. I interact with your website, your staff and today, I have toured round your campus, I can say ABUAD is a model for anyone or organization thinking of investing in education sector in Nigeria and across the globe.”
The University Don said the bureau, when completed will have sections for Publications of Afe Babalola, for Ekiti artifacts and other important segments.
Commending the Center for deeming it fit to partner with the institution, Aare Babalola said he agreed wholly in what the center is presenting and he’ll be ready to put everything in place to actualize the project.
“I concur totally with everything you’ve said.” Afe Babalola said.
At the attendance were the Vice Chancellor, Professor Esther Smaranda Olarinde, the Provost of the College of Social and Management Sciences, Prof Ademola Azeez and the Head of the Department of Tourism and Event Management, Dr Chris Aina, among other staff.
All paper work shall be put in place in coming weeks by s combined team of both parties.
Earlier, the CBCIU team were taken to tour if the institution to glance through the state-of-the-art facilities available at the University by Dr Aina and Prof. Azeez.
