2nd Delegation to the Sultan of Sokoto.

The president of the Institute, Prof. Funso Akingbade led another 4-man delegation to Alh. Muh'd Sa'ad Abubakar III on Wednesday, 27th June, 2007 to intimate him on the reason for a change in his installation date and details of activities that would take place on the day of the event.

He highlighted the activities to be:

1. His Eminence fellowship award and installation as patron of the Institute.
2. Endowment for proposed 'Operations Research Centre', the first in Africa. The structures that would make up the center, according to Prof. Akingbade were Administrative complex that would be named after His Eminence Alh. Muh'd Sa' ad Abubakar ill, Library/Computer block, Auditorium, Lecture rooms, Hostels and Plaza, each to be named after different worthy individuals.
3. Book launch. A book of reading would be published also in honor of His Eminence.

The president further informed the Sultan about dignitaries that would be invited, the Royal fathers, particularly, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu who accepted to be present at the event. Prof. Akingbade at this juncture, implored His Eminence to also invite other Royal fathers that would appreciate the import of OR in efficient decision making. He also expresses no doubt that His Eminence would bring along Governors of Sokoto and Kebbi States as the Institute would also be inviting Governors of Lagos, Ogun, Kwara and Ekiti states.

In view of the importance of the event which required adequate preparation for its success, the President informed His Eminence that enough time should be allowed to achieve this. He, therefore, gave between 25th August and 5th September within which the Sultan could choose a day for the event.

In response to the President's Speech, the Sultan Alh. Muh'd Sa' ad Abubakar III affirmed his acceptance of the offer. He recalled how as the head of training, he was sent for Advanced Certificate Course in Operations Research by the Nigerian Army at University of Lagos in 1995 and taught by Prof. Akingbade, Prof. Ibidapo-Obe (former V/Chancellor - Unilag) and others.

On the usefulness of OR, the Sultan recounted how the knowledge of OR he had gave him an edge over his contemporaries in various assignment on his return to his base. Even since his enthronement as the Sultan, he had effected a lot of changes in the administration of the palace, which according to him were derived from his knowledge of Operations Research.

He emphasized his believe in the potency of OR in the planning, policy making and implementation for efficient performance in every facet of human activities. He assured the Institute that he would bring his knowledge and experience to bear in the promotion of OR in Nigeria through involvement of notable people of like minds who cherished good governance and always prepared to be vanguard in efforts to make Nigeria a better society. On the proposed event, the Sultan pledged to involve corporate organizations and important personalities that would make the event positively memorable in the history of the Institute and throughout the lives of its members. He finally mentioned that he would look into the period suggested by the Institute for the event and communicate a suitable date to the Institute.