FUTA Alumnus Pens Emotional Appreciation to Dean Who Helped Him With Tuition Fee

FUTA Alumnus Pens Emotional Appreciation to Dean Who Helped Him With Tuition Fee

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

A heartfelt message of gratitude has emerged from an alumnus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), as he recounts the life-changing help he received from Professor Boniface Kayode Alese, the former Dean of Student Affairs.

Temitope Ajayi, known affectionately as Tope Akewi, shared his touching story in a recent post on the university’s Facebook page, garnering attention from students and alumni alike.

Temitope, who graduated with a degree in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management before pursuing his Master’s degree in Tourism and Wildlife Hospitality at the University of Plymouth, UK, reflected on his journey from a struggling freshman in 2012 to a successful graduate, crediting Prof. Alese’s generosity for helping him keep his educational dreams alive.

In his post, he recounted his distressing experience when he was unable to pay his tuition fee of #48,900 as a fresh student. “I was begging many fellowships on campus for assistance,” Temitope shared. “Then, I decided to go to Professor Alese, despite our paths never crossing before.”

Temitope described his initial interaction with the Dean’s office, including the moment he was met with resistance from the secretary. 

“While I was doing this, my mind told me to go to him despite the fact that our path has never crossed before. I did Pre degree, and during my PDS days, I’ve always heard people saying “Alese”, I later got to know he is from Ekiti and that was my reason to go to him now that I couldn’t afford my tuition.

“I got to the office and told the secretary I wanted to see the Dean, (he was a doctor then) the secretary asked if I had an appointment with him and I told her “No “. She then said she can’t allow me to enter. I pleaded with her but she declined. 

“Not too long, I saw Prof Alese coming outside from his office, I immediately stood up where I was sitting and started crying, he stopped and asked what the matter was, I explained and he said “Oo rowo school e san ? Maa lo sile now”. (You can’t afford your tuition ? Go back home now ).”

“Anyone familiar with Prof will know that whenever you go to him for something, he will first give you a response that will make you feel he doesn’t care.” Ajayi narrated.

Yet, Prof. Alese’s demeanor soon softened as Ajayi followed him, persistently explaining his dire situation. 

“As he attempted to leave, I ran after him and continued crying and he said “boy yii, ki lo fe now” (this body, what do you want) and I told him to help me pay my tuition. 

“He started laughing and said “ṣe emi ni mo bi e ni ? “” Am I your father? How many students will I pay for?” He started to leave but I kept following him and he now said he was going to the registrar (Prof Mrs Modupe Ajayi) and said I should follow him to the registrar’s office.

“In a nutshell, the two Professors gave me the money to complete my tuition fee and Prof. Alese called the housekeeper at Akideko to give me a bedspace!” He reflected.

The gratitude expressed in the post reverberated throughout the comments, where many students and alumni chimed in with their own stories of kindness from Prof. Alese. 

Dayo Pelumi shared, “I am a witness to this, and I know how the intervention of the then DSA, Prof. Alese, saved Tope Akewi from embarrassment.” 

Zachariah Golden added, “Prof Alese is really a father. Akewi, I celebrate you. Greatest Dekoites!” while Funke Ore Ajayi praised him as “a Man of people, very accommodating. May God bless Him.”

As the heartfelt tributes continued to pour in, Temitope concluded his message by affirming, “Dear Prof. Boniface Kayode Alese, I cannot express enough how thankful I am. There is no way I will ever stop appreciating you, sir. I’m indeed grateful.”