The Akin-Deko family on Tuesday February 11, 2025, donated to the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), a large parcel of family land together with the Mausoleum of their late father, High Chief Gabriel Akin-Deko situated along the main road in Isalu, Idanre. The Mausoleum, which is an imposing architectural edifice built in marble and concrete, was designed and built by the family in memory of their late father.
Earlier in his illustrious political career, High Chief Akin-Deko had been the Minister for Agriculture in the Chief Awolowo-led Action Group and, during the Second Republic he had been a leading member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and a close ally of former President Shehu Shagari. In 1983 he had successfully helped persuade the NPN-controlled federal government to site a university in Ondo state, which was at the time a stronghold of the Unity Party of Nigeria, the opposition party.
FUTA was thus born and Akiin-Deko, who had earlier been Deputy Chairman of UCH, Ibadan and Pro-Chancellor of University of Benin, was promptly appointed pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the provisional council of FUTA.
In what was at a time when Ondo State was effectively a politically hostile state to anything federal. Being at the time Lisa of Idanre, Salagwe of Owo and Araba Nla of Apoiland, High Chief Akin-Deko had put his close relationship with the then Ondo State governor, Chief Michael Ajasin, to good use. It was a friendship that went back to their days together in Action Group and, putting his love of his state above party politics, the then governor of Ondo State, quietly supported the fledgling FUTA despite the opposition of his UPN party.
The master stroke was the success in also persuading the Federal Polytechnic to relocate from its Gaga area in Akure to Ado Ekiti so that the new university could immediately take off on its present site. The successful take off of FUTA in Ondo State, and the foundation for its strident development was therefore due in no small measure to the efforts of the pioneering provisional council, the staff and the student body under the leadership of late Gabriel Akin-Deko. Today, FUTA is ranked amongst the top ten Nigerian universities.
Speaking at the ceremony to handover the land gift, High Chief Dr Charles Akinde, was flanked by several topmost members of the Idanre traditional council, top dignitaries alongside Chief Akintayo Akin-Deko and Chief Adegboyega Akin-Deko. High Chief Akinde welcomed the FUTA delegation to Idanre and assured them of every support from the Idanre community in pursuing their laudable initiative to bring the university closer to the people of the state.
Professor Sunday Oluyamo, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), together with Mr Charles Adeleye, Registrar; and Professor Segun Ojo, the Provost of the School of Medical Sciences, and a host of top FUTA officials were in attendance. Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, who was otherwise engaged, Professor Oluyamo thanked the Akin-Deko family and Idanre community for their generosity and assured them that the university management planned to develop the parcel of land as an integral part of the university’s facilities for training and research.
