The transformation of Urbah Dam from utter neglect to a tourism and commercial centre, aimed at generating huge revenue for the University of Ibadan, is one of the enduring legacies Prof. Isaac Adewole’s  administration will leave behind.

For many years, the dam which starts from the Zoological Garden axis, spreading up to Wadie Martin Road, very close to Macaulay Road, was abandoned by successive administrations. Nobody seemed to see the enormous benefits in the dam. It was considered by some people as a menace to the university community, probably because it was covered by seemingly impregnable water hyacinths. Yet, it harbours various species of fish.

It took the ingenuity and foresight of the Vice Chancellor to unlock the hidden treasures that had been unexploited. In other words, the dam which is tremendously useful to all and sundry has, over the years, remained a fallow gold market undeveloped. When Prof. Adewole stepped in, a kind of observation study was done. The potential benefits became manifest, dreams began to transform into reality regarding how the dam could be transformed from waste to wealth.

No sooner had the dredging of the dam commenced than the experts at work realised that the dam could serve two purposes: consumptive and non-consumptive utilisations. For consumptive utilisation, it was discovered that the dam could be processed for the use of the community in the provision of portable water. The university had been buying raw water from Eleyele dam, owned by Oyo State Government, thus spending millions of naira, at the expense of the endowed resource that is available at the backyard of the university. In addition, experts also discovered that Urbah Dam was good for fishing as it was the haven of all kinds of wild fish.

For non-consumptive utilisation, Urbah Dam can also serve as a tourist centre. On completion of the ongoing modernisation project, the dam will serve as a relaxation centre, picnic arena, sport-fishing, just as people can also hold meetings there. Already, there is a provision for lawn tennis court while speed boats are being awaited.

Speaking on the transformation of the Urbah Dam, the Head of Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, Prof. Ibukunoluwa described Prof. Adewole as a dynamic and highly innovative leader who sees opportunities where many people see obstacles.

 “Before the advent of Prof. Adewole,” according to Prof. Ayodele,  “Urbah Dam was abandoned totally but the Vice Chancellor came and turned everything around. Hitherto, we used to buy raw water from Eleyele costing the University several millions of naira. Today, Urbah Dam supplies UI the needed raw water that we process for the consumption of the community.”

Furthermore, “we have been able to save those millions of naira we used to spend on Eleyele water because somebody is innovative. Again, I can tell you that we have sold fish worth millions of naira. These are the fish we harvest from the Urbah Dam. In other words, because the Urbah Dam was dredged, we saw an opportunity to do fishing there. We do catch different kinds of species of wild fish, and these are good fish that we have been selling.”

Prof. Ayodele noted that on completion of the project, “the university would be better for it as people could come for fun, relaxation, picnic and sport-fishing. People could even hold their meetings there. Although there is still some distance to the destination, with regard to the completion of the project, it is hoped that Urbah Dam will add substantial value to the university. 

Mr Sunday Saanu, a lecturer and a member of Nigeria Institute of Public Relation, applauded the VC for the job he is doing.

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