The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), has been honoured with the "Clean and Green Award of Excellence" by the Lawns and Grounds Maintenance Contractors.

The award, presented to Prof. Ambali in his office last Thursday (November 26, 2015), was in recognition of the superb environmental cleanliness and aesthetic beauty of the University campus.

In his remarks before the presentation, the leader of the contractors, Mr. Nurudeen Ibrahim, congratulated the Vice-Chancellor on the successful hosting of the just concluded 31st Convocation and 40th anniversary of the University. He said that the award was to recognise and appreciate the great job the Vice-Chancellor and his team have been doing and to encourage and challenge them to do more.

Highlighting the various projects executed by the University administration under the leadership of Prof. Ambali, Mr. Ibrahim said, "Your giant strides and achievements have led us to present you with the Clean and Green Award. The Clean means that you have achieved and you are still achieving and by the special grace of Almighty Allah, you will still achieve more than what you have done so far. You have made the environment clean in terms of physical achievements, structures, staff welfare, provision of amenities for teaching and non-teaching staff. These shall forever remain evergreen in the minds of staff after you might have completed your tenure of administration as the Vice-Chancellor of the University."

Mr. Ibrahim, who commended Prof. Ambali's leadership style and simplicity, also expressed gratitude to the University management for the renewal of their contract for the year 2015.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor expressed delight in receiving the Clean and Green Award, which he stated, "is for every one of us and that includes you."

Prof. Ambali explained that one of the cardinal aims behind the establishment of any University is community service. "And part of the responsibility of each and every one of us as staff, is to teach, to carry out research and to positively affect the community where we live. So, it is towards this that we zero in on making sure that the community participation in our activities is well enshrined and I am happy that you have keyed in very well; I am happy that you have been given another letter of award and that shows to demonstrate our appreciation for what you have been doing."

The Award presentation ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. N.Y.S. Ijaiya; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RTI), Prof. G.A. Olatunji; the Registrar, Mr. E. D. Obafemi, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar, Mr. M. Adegoke; the University Librarian, Dr. Joseph Omoniyi; the Deputy Bursar, Mr. Munir Dere; the Director of Works, Engr. Mobolaji Sanni; and the Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun.

Other members of the Lawn and Grounds Maintenance Contractors at the event were Alhaji Abubakar S. Ibrahim, Alhaji Yusuf, Mr. Joseph Blessing, Alhaji Ishola Yahaya, Alhaji A. Ola, Mr. Shiagba Isa, Alhaji Kehinde Oladapo, Mr. Kehinde Mabo and Alhaji Taofeek Ajibola.