Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for the establishment of engineering endowment funds as a strategic tool to drive national development.

Adeleke made the call on Thursday at the N150 million MicCom Memorial Endowment for Engineering Development held at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

The endowment was instituted in memory of late Mr and Mrs Michael Ponnle, pioneers in Nigeria’s industrial and engineering sector and founders of MicCom Cables, the country’s first indigenous cable manufacturing company, as well as MicCom Golf Resort Centre in Ada, Osun.

The governor said engineering endowments play a critical role in promoting academic excellence by supporting bright and deserving students, while also strengthening research and innovation.

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According to him, no nation can develop beyond the strength of its knowledge systems, noting that such initiatives help bridge the gap between theory and practice and foster stronger collaboration between academia and industry.

“They also instil leadership and ethical responsibility, ensuring that engineers are not only skilled but guided by integrity and a sense of national duty,” he said.

Adeleke commended the Ponnle family for the initiative, describing it as a visionary effort that preserves legacy while investing in the future.

In her remarks, Bukola Adubi said the endowment was designed to encourage academic excellence, innovation, and research among engineering students.

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She noted that the fund would provide resources to nurture talented individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s technological advancement, while also immortalising the legacy of her late parents.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Simeon Bamire, described the initiative as a visionary investment in sustainable development.

He said the fund would support cutting-edge research, provide scholarships to deserving students, upgrade facilities, and help nurture the next generation of engineers in the country.