NUC’s ex-scribe, Julius Okojie returns to FUNAAB to teach

Fifteen years after leaving office as vice chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, immediate past Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, returned to a rousing welcome at the institution.

Last week, Okojie, after serving two terms in that capacity, handed over the reigns to Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, and same day, President Muhammadu Buhari, named his (Okojie’s) successor, alongside chief executives of 16 other parastatals in the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to the Head, Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) of the school, Emi’ Alawode, already, the former NUC boss has picked up his duty schedule, having resumed as Professor of Forest Management and Forest Biometrics, at the Abeokuta-based institution.

As part of his new brief, Okojie, who was on leave of absence, will be in charge of the course, Forest Biometrics, at the postgraduate level. He will also take part in postgraduate seminars, and has even requested for Ph.D students to supervise.

Okojie’s return to the school turned out to be a memorable homecoming as the university community, led by the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe; management staff and other stakeholders, were on hand to accord the second substantive vice chancellor of the school a befitting reception.

Ogunlewe congratulated him on the successful completion of his tenure as NUC scribe saying, “We are so proud of you. As one of us, you exhibited that experience that you gathered here in the performance of your duties as executive secretary … You are a pride to this country and to FUNAAB and we want further development as you are back. We need your wealth of experience to make this university number one in ranking. You have been used to ranking as the executive secretary. So, rank us first, now.”

Vice chancellor of the school, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, who introduced Okojie to the governing council, assured him of management’s commitment to ensuring that he had a pleasant stay in FUNAAB.

In his response, Okojie, who recalled that he left FUNAAB 15 years ago, on August 31, 2001, appreciated the council for the warm reception accorded him, and appealed to members to continue to do all within their powers to ensure that peace and unity reigned in the university.