FUOYE community, Ekiti NUJ laud VC as he bows out

Tributes poured in torrents yesterday for the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof Kayode Soremekun as he bows out today after his five-year tenure.

The university community lauded the outgoing vice chancellor for his positive contributions to the growth and development of the institution, and leaving the school better than he met it.

The Ekiti State Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) also commended Prof. Soremekun for performing creditably well during his tenure in office.

Prof. Soremekun, who assumed office in 2016, will today hand over the mantle of leadership to his successor, Prof. Sunday Abayomi Fasina after the historic inauguration of 74 infrastructural projects, which his administration bequeathed to FUOYE.

The NUJ also advised Prof. Fasina to ensure that his administration catered for all parties as he promised in his acceptance speech, saying by doing so, he would be laying a solid foundation for a more prosperous and progressive FUOYE.

In a statement from the office of the Ekiti NUJ, Chairman, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, and signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Wole Balogun, the council commended Soremekun for his outstanding performance as VC for five years, adding that the success stories being relayed from several quarters and particularly the university community are pointers to the fact that the erudite scholar and tested administrator has performed creditably well in office.

He said: “For our friend, father and senior colleague in the print media industry in Nigeria, Prof. Soremekun, his successful tenure as VC marks a remarkable phase of his life. For the records, we are aware that FUOYE now boasts of over 24,000 students from about 6,000 in 2016 when Prof. Soremekun assumed duty. We are also aware that Soremekun’s administration has increased the number of accredited programmes to 75 and faculties to 11 from about 30 programmes in five faculties in 2016 when he came on board.

“Another cheery news is the fact that the Soremekun-led administration has bequeathed not less than 74 infrastructural projects for conducive learning and teaching environment in the institution.

The team of Soremekun’s administration, which achieved the foregoing admirable achievements included the current VC designate, Prof. Fasina, as then Deputy VC, Administration, current Deputy VC, Academics, Prof. Olusola Ojo, current Registrar, Mr. Olatubosun Odunsanya, then Director of Administration (D.A) and current Bursar, Mrs. Bolatito Akande, who then served as Acting Bursar for the most part of Soremekun’s administration as well as other principal officers of the institution including Directors, Deans of faculties, HODs and the entire staff and students (who jointly contributed to the success which Soremekun administration has become today).

“While we wish Prof. Soremekun a healthy and prosperous life after service, we wish Prof. Fasina a more successful, impactful, progressive and fruitful tenure as you mount the saddle of leadership to pilot the affairs of the prestigious university for the next five years,” he added.

On his part, Dr. Bolupe Awe of FUOYE said Soremekun transformed both the physical environment and academic programmes in the university during his tenure. He noted that among all the universities established by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, soremekun made FUOYE the first.

Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS), Prof. Mojisola Oyarekua, said when many believed that FUOYE was too young for postgraduate programme, the outgoing VC planted the seed of the school and it germinated. “Infrastructural and human development in the university during your tenure was massive, I cannot but mention that today, the school has many postgraduate students who are on the verge of final oral examination,” Oyarekua added.

Chief Olusola Afolabi of Computer Science Department said it is an undeniable fact that the outgoing vice chancellor is leaving FUOYE better than he met it. He added that his deeds, particularly in the areas of infrastructural and programmes development, shall linger in the history of the university.

He said: ”I am one of the staff that constructively criticised your administration; offered suggestions on way forward and executive plans in small ways to create an enabling environment to support your five years administration in FUOYE.
“You have a listening ear, accepted criticisms in good faith and make timely adjustments or corrections to perceived policy error, all for the benefit and progress of FUOYE.

“You have successfully corrected some of the policy errors inherited from previous administrations. I wish you implored your successor, who luckily has been part of your administration, to build on the structures you already laid, and struggle to surpass your achievements, particularly in the area of staff welfare and infrastructural development.”

The University Librarian, Dr Isaac Busayo said the outgoing vice chancellor has left an indelible mark by his unprecedented achievements in FUOYE.

Praying for Soremekun, another staff member said: “We thank God for your life and all you were able to achieve as our VC. Most importantly, we thank God for your positive impacts on staff and students. It is our prayer to the Almighty God to grant you sound health and peace beyond human understanding.

Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu said Soremekun’s name would go down in history as the first VC to complete his tenure in FUOYE. She added that the outgoing vice chancellor would be remembered for the many professional courses he introduced in the university, especially Pharmacy, Law, Architecture, Building and Estate Management.