OAU Launches ₦150m MicCom Endowment Fund in Honour of Ponnle Couple

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Thursday hosted the inauguration of a ₦150 million MicCom Memorial Endowment Fund for Engineering Development, established in honour of late engineering icons, Michael Ayantunde Ponnle and Comfort Olufunke Ponnle.

The landmark event, held at Oduduwa Hall, brought together stakeholders from academia, government, and industry to celebrate the enduring legacy of the Ponnles, whose contributions to Nigeria’s engineering and manufacturing sectors remain widely acknowledged.

Delivering his address, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, described the occasion as both a moment of remembrance and a celebration of a legacy that continues to shape the future of engineering in Nigeria.

“We are remembering two exceptional lives, while celebrating a legacy that continues to build, teach, and inspire even beyond their passing,” the governor said.

He highlighted the pioneering roles played by the late couple in advancing indigenous manufacturing through their enterprise, MicCom Cables and Wires, at a time when Nigeria heavily depended on imported engineering technologies. According to him, their bold commitment to local innovation demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian engineers to compete globally.

Governor Adeleke emphasized that the Ponnles exemplified a rare partnership built on shared vision and complementary strengths. While Engr. Michael Ponnle provided leadership in enterprise development, Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Ponnle was noted for her technical discipline and operational excellence.

Beyond industrial achievements, the governor underscored their impact on human capital development, noting that they mentored and trained generations of engineers who have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s technological ecosystem.

The newly inaugurated endowment fund, he explained, is designed to promote academic excellence, strengthen research and innovation, bridge the gap between academia and industry, and instill leadership and ethical responsibility among engineering students.

“This endowment is not merely symbolic; it is strategic,” Adeleke stated. “It reflects a commitment to building a future driven by knowledge, innovation, and integrity.”

He commended the Ponnle family for what he described as a visionary initiative, noting that the investment in education ensures the enduring relevance of the late engineers’ legacy.

Addressing students who will benefit from the fund, the governor urged them to uphold the values of discipline, innovation, and service embodied by the Ponnles.

Earlier in the programme, speakers including senior academics of the university described the initiative as a defining moment in the advancement of engineering education at OAU, noting that it aligns with long-standing traditions of excellence and capacity building within the institution.

The MicCom Memorial Endowment Fund is expected to provide scholarships, research support, and incentives for outstanding students within the Faculty of Technology, further strengthening the university’s role as a hub for engineering innovation in Nigeria.

Dignitaries at the event included Osun State Deputy Governor, Adewusi; members of the State Executive Council; traditional rulers such as the Orangun of Oke-Ila, the Alada of Ada, and representatives of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, including former president Engr. Mrs. Margaret Oguntala; the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, alongside principal officers and staff of the institution; and media entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, Dele Momodu.