THE MICCOM MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT

The endowment being inaugurated today is more than a ceremonial gesture; it is a purposeful commitment to the future of engineering, innovation, and technological advancement in Nigeria. Established in honour of Late Engr. Michael Ayantunde Ponnle, FNSE, OON, OFR, and Late Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, FNSE, the endowment seeks to immortalize their remarkable legacy while creating a lasting platform for the development of future generations of engineers.

Late Engr. and Engr. (Mrs.) Ponnle were pioneers in Nigeria's industrial and engineering landscape. As founders of Nigeria's first indigenous cable manufacturing enterprise, they demonstrated exceptional vision at a time when local manufacturing capacity was still emerging. Their work was driven by a deep belief that Nigeria possessed the intellectual capital and entrepreneurial capability required to build a strong industrial and technological base.

GREAT IFE

Throughout their lives, they championed the principles of innovation, self-reliance, technical excellence, and national development. Their contributions extended beyond the establishment of a successful manufacturing enterprise. They mentored young professionals, promoted indigenous engineering capacity, and invested in initiatives that strengthened Nigeria's technological ecosystem. For them, engineering was not simply a profession-it was a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society and to future generations.

It is this enduring commitment to knowledge, innovation, and capacity development that inspired the establishment of the MicCom Memorial Endowment at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) for Engineering Development in their honour.

Obafemi Awolowo University has long been recognised as one of Nigeria's leading institutions for engineering education and technological research. Over the decades, the university has produced many outstanding engineers who have contributed to Nigeria's development across industries such as power, manufacturing, telecommunications, oil and gas, and infrastructure. It is therefore fitting that this endowment finds its home within such a distinguished academic community.

It is also worth noting that this university produced two Engineers, one Medical Doctor, and one Pharmacist amongst the Ponnle Children.

This endowment is designed to serve several important purposes.

First, it seeks to encourage academic excellence and innovation among engineering students. By providing resources to support outstanding students, the endowment will nurture talented individuals with the potential to contribute meaningfully to technological advancement in Nigeria.

Second, the endowment aims to promote research and intellectual inquiry within the engineering disciplines. Technological progress depends on continuous learning, experimentation, and discovery. By supporting research initiatives, academic programs, and scholarly activities, the endowment will help strengthen Nigeria's capacity for engineering innovation.

Third, the endowment seeks to bridge the gap between academia and industry. One of the defining aspects of the Ponnles' legacy was their ability to translate engineering knowledge into practical industrial applications even beyond their death. Through this endowment, students and researchers will be encouraged to engage with real-world technological challenges, fostering a culture where theory and practice reinforce one another.

Fourth, the endowment aims to inspire leadership and professional responsibility among future engineers. The lives of Engr. and Engr. (Mrs.) Ponnle illustrate that technical competence must be accompanied by integrity, resilience, and a commitment to service. Through lectures, mentorship opportunities, and related initiatives, the endowment will help cultivate a generation of engineers who are not only technically proficient but also ethically grounded and socially responsible.

The long-term expectation of the endowment is that it will create a sustainable platform that continuously supports the growth of engineering talent. Endowments function through careful stewardship of resources, ensuring that the capital invested today continues to generate benefits for many years to come. Through responsible management and continued stakeholder support, the impact of this initiative will extend far beyond this present moment.

Guests gathered here today are therefore participating in the beginning of a journey - one that seeks to honour the past while investing in the future. The endowment represents a collective commitment by family, colleagues, industry leaders, and the academic community to sustain the ideals that Engr. and Engr. (Mrs.) Ponnle embodied throughout their lives.

It is hoped that this initiative will inspire further collaboration between industry and academia, encourage additional philanthropic investments in education, and reinforce the importance of supporting institutions that nurture knowledge and innovation.

Ultimately, the true success of this endowment will not be measured solely by the funds it provides but by the lives it influences, the ideas it inspires, and the innovations it enables. Each student supported, each research project undertaken, and each technological breakthrough achieved will serve as a continuing testament to the Ponnles' vision and dedication.

Through this endowment, their legacy becomes a living force-empowering new generations of engineers to dream boldly, innovate responsibly, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Nigeria and the world.

We welcome all guests to share in this vision and to support the ongoing mission of nurturing excellence, innovation, and leadership in engineering for generations to come.