The Olusupare of Supare Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Fasusi Richard Adewale, Fadulu II, has commended the Management of Sam Maris University (SMU), Supare-Akoko, Ondo State, for its remarkable strides in academic development and infrastructure, while calling for stronger ties between the University and its host community.

The monarch gave the commendation on Friday, 30th October, 2026, during his first official courtesy visit to the University since his enthronement.

He was accompanied by his traditional chiefs and palace officials. 

His Royal Majesty used the occasion to reaffirm the support of the traditional institution and the Supare community for the continued growth and development of the University.

Oba Adewale described the University's progress as impressive, particularly its success in securing approval for the Law and Nursing Science degree programmes within two years of its establishment.

He observed that the University's achievements were evidence of purposeful leadership and commitment to institutional development, noting that the Management had performed creditably well.

“The University is growing in leaps and bounds, considering the approval which the institution has secured for its Law and Nursing Science programmes within just two years of establishment,” the monarch said.

He also referred to the recent commissioning of a hostel facility donated to the University by a former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ali Olaganju Olanusi, describing it as another indication of the institution's steady progress.

The monarch particularly commended the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Gbore, observing that the University had maintained a peaceful academic environment since his assumption of office.

“Since you assumed duty as the Vice-Chancellor, there have been no riots or crises. Considering your academic antecedents, your leadership has demonstrated competence,” he remarked.

Oba Adewale further appreciated the University's support for the host community under the Memorandum of Understanding between the University and the original Landowners, particularly the provision of scholarship opportunities for students of Supare extraction. 

He described the gesture as commendable and encouraged the institution to sustain and strengthen its positive relationship with the community.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Gbore, described the courtesy visit by His Royal Majesty as a mark of honour, not only to the Management of the University but also to the University's Proprietor. 

He expressed the University's readiness to deepen its partnership with the traditional institution and the wider Supare community.

Professor Gbore attributed the strides recorded by the University to the visionary leadership and active support of the University's Proprietor and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr. Sam T. Ologunorisa, SAN.

He emphasised that the Proprietor's commitment and sustained support had provided a strong foundation for the University's growth and development. 

He further noted that the achievements recorded by Management, particularly in academic expansion and infrastructure development, had been significantly strengthened by the Proprietor's backing.

The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that Management was making efforts to attract banking services to the University to improve convenience for students, staff and other members of the University and host communities.

He assured the monarch, his traditional chiefs and the people of Supare-Akoko of the University's commitment to sustaining a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with the host community. 

He emphasised that such a relationship would be strengthened through continuous engagement, cooperation and the provision of employment opportunities for qualified indigenes of Supare whenever vacancies arise.

Professor Gbore congratulated Oba Adewale on his enthronement as the Olusupare of Supare Kingdom and also felicitated with him on his retirement from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The visit provided an opportunity for renewed engagement between the traditional institution and the University, with both sides expressing a shared commitment to fostering a peaceful and supportive environment for the University's continued growth and its contribution to the development of Supareland.