Minister of Health and immediate past vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, has urged his successor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors in office in order to succeed in the task ahead.

Adewole, whose five-year tenure ended yesterday, spoke at the formal handing-over to the new VC at a short programme held at the Senate Chamber of the institution.

At the event, described as the first of its kind in the institution, Prof Adewole also expressed appreciation to other members of staff for their support during his tenure.

While acknowledging the uniqueness of the event, he described it as just one of the new things happening at the university as he recalled that the presentation of the new VC by the Chairman of the Governing Council, even in the presence of both the outgoing and the Acting VC‎ during the last convocation programme was part of the new things.

The minister also paid glowing tributes to his able lieutenants, whom he said allowed him to take the credit of having done well in office.

He said, “it is easy to give credit to the leader, but, a good leader must appreciate that his success comes from the support received from his subordinates and I do sincerely thank you all for allowing me to take the glory”.
He pleaded for a greater level of support for Olayinka, who he described as a wonderful team player, adding, “even, if he does not thank you for doing it, God will thank you. It is easy to become the VC, but it is more challenging to succeed in office, if he succeeds, the UI succeeds”.

Adewole specifically charged the new Bursar of the university, Mr. Micheal Alatise to make the job of his successor easier by protecting his integrity, asking him not to allow the new VC to combine the job of his office with that of the Bursar.

He thanked the Acting VC, who until he assumed the position was the Deputy VC (Administration), Prof. Ambrose Emilolorun Ayelari for holding forth since his assumption of office since October when he began his annual leave and handed over everything about the VC office to him.

The Minister of Health admonished the university staff to give his successor ample opportunity to prove his mettle as an astute administrator, who was not just coming into administration, having‎ in the past served as the Deputy VC (Academics) for four years.

He said Olayinka then served with distinction, stressing that “I can write a lot on him as a wonderful team player, who only disagrees inside but agrees outside and that’s the hallmark of a good team player.
“I’m charging those that will work directly with the new VC to imbibe that spirit of always having a unified team outside while you disagree inside.

Nobody can say there must not be disagreement, in fact where you don’t disagree, then something is wrong, but, the moment the VC takes a position based on your discussion, whatever your view is must be subsumed under that joint position”, he added.

The Acting VC, in his remarks described his working relationship with Adewole as one to remember as it was a period that further equipped him for the challenges of the future.

Responding, the new VC, whose tenure actually takes effect from today, December 1, recalled that the opportunity given to him to serve as the Deputy VC by his predecessor in no small way prepared him for the task ahead, the beginning of which culminated in his presentation as the 12th VC of the university.

Prof Olayinka said he had wanted to christen his tenure as continuity, but, later changed it to consolidation, not only to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, but, those of all his 11 predecessors in office.
While soliciting for the support and cooperation of all, he acknowledged the eyebrows being raised in some quarters based on where he comes from as well as the allegation of being loyal to his boss.

He dismissed the two allegations as untenable noting that it was not within his power to determine where to be born just like every other persons and that his loyalty as alleged was to the university which is greater than any individual.
“As I’m promising to build on the solid foundation laid by my predecessors, I urge all the stakeholders to let us work together as a team for the university‎ which is the only university we can call ours”, he said further.

Earlier, the Minister had inspected and commissioned the upgraded University Central Administration Building, which was raised by additional two floors describing the work as excellent.
Adewole recalled that what had been taking place was to engage in partitioning of the offices to accommodate the staff to the extent that the VC office almost reduced to a small room, not spacious and befitting enough for the position.
“With this new concept, we have succeeded in carving a whole floor out for the VC and all the supporting staff while other Principal Officers also have befitting apartments to enable all of us work under a very conducive atmosphere and environment for which I’m very happy about”, Adewole stated.