Ponnle dynasty launches MicCom Memorial Endowment at OAU

–Gov Adeleke eulogises late Engr. Ponnle

The importance of honouring and immortalising individuals who have made significant contributions to national development and institutional growth was underscored with the launch of the MicCom Memorial Endowment at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

The endowment, established in honour of Late Engr. Michael Ayantunde Ponnle, FNSE, OON, OFR, and Late Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, FNSE, was unveiled during a well-attended ceremony held at Oduduwa Hall of the university in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Speaking at the event, Osun State Governor, Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, commended the Ponnle family for instituting the ₦150 million endowment, describing it as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s technological future.

According to the governor, the initiative goes beyond remembrance, serving as a sustainable platform for advancing engineering education, research, and innovation in the country.

“Their lives remind us that some individuals continue to build, teach and inspire even after their passing,” Adeleke said while paying tribute to the late Ponnles.

He described the couple as visionary pioneers who demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity for innovation and industrial growth, particularly through the establishment of MicCom Cables and Wires at a time when indigenous manufacturing was still emerging.

Highlighting their complementary roles, Adeleke noted that while Engr. Ponnle provided leadership in enterprise development, his wife brought technical discipline, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

“Together, they built not just a successful business but a purposeful partnership that contributed meaningfully to national development,” he added.

Representatives of the family explained that the endowment was conceived to preserve the legacy of the late engineers and create lasting opportunities for future generations.

They described the late Ponnles as pioneers in Nigeria’s engineering and industrial sector whose vision was rooted in a strong belief in the country’s intellectual and entrepreneurial potential.

Beyond their industrial achievements, the couple was widely recognised for mentoring young professionals, promoting indigenous engineering capacity, and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s technological ecosystem.

The choice of Obafemi Awolowo University as the host institution reflects its reputation as one of Nigeria’s foremost centres for engineering education and research.

Over the years, the university has produced graduates who have made significant contributions across sectors such as power, telecommunications, oil and gas, manufacturing, and infrastructure. The institution also holds a special connection with the Ponnle family, having trained two engineers, one medical doctor, and one pharmacist among their children.

The MicCom Memorial Endowment is structured to promote academic excellence through scholarships and student support programmes, while also fostering research and innovation by funding academic initiatives and scholarly activities.

It is equally designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by encouraging the practical application of engineering knowledge to real-world challenges.

In addition, the initiative places strong emphasis on leadership development, with plans for mentorship programmes, lectures, and professional engagements aimed at instilling values of integrity, resilience, and service in future engineers.

Governor Adeleke also urged beneficiaries to see the support as a call to responsibility.

“You are not just receiving support; you are inheriting a legacy. Carry it with a sense of purpose and responsibility,” he advised.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening education, promoting innovation, and encouraging collaboration between government, academic institutions, and the private sector.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, applauded the Ponnle family for the gesture and urged other alumni of the university and philanthropists to support the development of the institution.

Also speaking, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor G.A. Aderounmu, and the Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Professor Lasisi Ejibunu Umaru, said the university remained committed to investing in the future of engineering education, noting that the Ponnle family had left an enduring legacy worthy of recognition and emulation.

Stakeholders at the event described the endowment as a sustainable initiative whose impact would be measured not only by the financial contributions but also by the quality of talents nurtured and innovations inspired.

The ceremony attracted dignitaries from academia, industry, traditional rulers, captains of industry, and government officials.

Ultimately, the MicCom Memorial Endowment stands as a lasting tribute to the lives and vision of the late Engr. and Engr. (Mrs.) Ponnle, empowering a new generation of engineers to dream boldly, innovate responsibly, and contribute meaningfully to national development.