The Vice Chancellor of Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, has begun moves to establish a centre of space research at the university.
To actualise this dream, he held talks with Prof Babatunde Rabiu, who is the Executive Director of the United Nations (UN) African Regional Centre For Space Science and Technology Education (English speaking), located at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
The discussions were held when the Executive Director led a team from the UN outfit to present awards to the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo Osun State, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, for his fear of attracting the world-famous international space research centre, the “VT-NigerBEAR Virginia Tech Aeronomy Radar,” to Nigeria and sited in Bowen, the only one in Africa.
The Award ceremony was brought to FUOYE at the request of Ogunwole in appreciation of the university for releasing him on leave of absence to become Bowen’s Vice Chancellor, which he completed last July.
The FUOYE boss recalled that “this fast-growing university established just about 13 years ago has the enviable record of not just been first among equals having been coming first in academic growth and infrastructural development, it has also ranked better than some older university, I will be very much delighted and fulfilled to make FUOYE under my watch come first in this regard as done by my brother Ogunwole.”
Continuing Fasina said, as the institution that loaned Ogunwole to Bowen as our Ambassador, we are not only proud of his uncommon achievements, one of which the world is celebrating today, we are equally and immeasurably grateful for the rare support your outfit gave him to break this record, knowing fully that you are going to endow us at FUOYE with even double portion.”
The UN scientist and scholar in what appeared as giving blessing to Fasina’s request, said “I assure you of my readiness to work with you in any capacity you may deem fit. I am ready to use any instrument of office available to me and my simple personal integrity in supporting your quest towards lifting the FUOYE.”
