By Oriola Afolabi.
It was an atmosphere of joy and dream fulfilled in Oye Ekiti as Colleagues, Friends, families and well-wishers showered encomiums on the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Federal University Oye Ekiti, FUOYE, Professor Kayode Soremekun where seventy four projects completed during his tenure were also inaugurated.
Our correspondent ORIOLA AFOLABI who was there reports that some of the projects include administrative building, Faculties of Law, Education, Pharmacy, Hostels, five hundred Theatre hall, roads among others.
Speaking on the occasion, the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi who presided over the inauguration congratulated the outgoing Vice Chancellor for being resourceful and painstaking in executing the laudable projects.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Governor Fayemi charged the successful Vice Chancellor to build on the good track records set by Professor Soremekun.
Governor Fayemi noted that some of the decisions taken during the tenure of Professor Kayode Soremekun were aimed at ensuring probity and prevent excesses which could breed disaffection in the system.
“Before I became the Ekiti state Deputy Governor, Ekiti Council of Elders appointed me to investigate some of the allegations and petitions levelled against Professor Soremekun but I later discovered that the VC was right to have done what he did”
“Honestly, Soremekun has tried a lot for the University and I commend you for a job well done”
According to Governor Fayemi “Professor Soremekun run the affairs of the University with passion and commitment to excellence and utmost dedication to duty”
The Chairman, FUOYE Governing Council and Pro Chancellor, Dr. Muhammad Yahuza described Professor Soremekun as a man of honour who had left no stone unturned to ensure meaningful development in the institution.
Dr. Yahuza said that the University Leadership would continue to rely on his wealth of experiences both in Academics and administration.
“The incoming Vice Chancellor needs to take a queue from your high sense of leadership, accommodating and building more on the infrastructure”
The FUOYE Council Chairman had set good track records of academic excellence, infrastructural development and enabling environment for Staff and students to enjoy and advance maximally as well as progressively.
In her address, the Chairperson, Project Commissioning and Bursar of the Institution, Mrs. Roseline Akande said that the administration of Professor Soremekun had greatly repositioned the university for academic excellence and meaningful progress.
Mrs. Akande “it is historic, because never before have we witnessed on our soil such a great convergence of dignitaries spread across various strata of our society”
“Let me also reiterate that the administration under the watch of professor Kayode Soremekun had painstakingly repositioned this University and had increased its visibility amongst the Nigerian universities”
She explained that when Professor Soremekun came to FUOYE in 2016 he met only four Faculties but his passion and commitment to excellence had upgraded the Faculties to twelve, with the establishment of Faculties of Law and Pharmacy.
Mrs. Akande noted that with the support of government Agencies, Professor Soremekun had achieved tremendous infrastructural facilities which had not only boosted academic excellence but also created an enabling environment for the students and staff.
The Outgoing Vice Chancellor, Federal University Oye Ekiti, FUOYE, Professor Kayode Soremekun charged colleagues in the academic to prioritize research works capable of solving Nigeria problems.
Professor Soremekun who lamented that no university in Nigeria could meet the international standard on COVID 19 Vaccines, decried inadequate funding of research works in the Universities and called for more support in that area.
The programme was attended by Traditional Rulers, Market women, Artisans, Academics and the Representative of Minister of Education.
At the cocktail in honour of the Former Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Soremekun which was held at Delight Hotel Ado Ekiti, an Educationist, Chief Adebayo Daramola described Soremekun as a man of vision who had never been deterred from doing the needful.
According to Chief Daramola “You have always honour me, God will continue to honour you, I am glad to see Professor prostrating to greet me, what do I have, I retired since 1984 as Principal but since I know Professor Soremekun, I see humility”
The FUOYE Acting VC, Professor Olusola Ojo and Professor Okolo appreciated the kind gesture of professor Soremekun.
Professor Ojo said that the Former VC had lifted many people out of poverty and planted seed which would continue to germinate into success, especially in Oye Ekiti.
The Confidential Secretary to the Former VC, Mr Raphael Olorunleke who was visibly happy for the benevolence of Professor Soremekun, added that he achieved his master’s degree through the support of Soremekun.
“Despite the fact that am not a Principal officer in FUOYE, l am involved in scheme of things, I say thank you Daddy” said Mr Raphael Olorunleke.
Academics and people from all walks of life today thronged the Grace Covenant Church, Opopoboro Ado Ekiti to give thanks to almighty God and celebrate His goodness in the life of Professor Sunday Abayomi Fasina for his appointment as the fourth Vice Chancellor, Federal University Oye Ekiti.
The Thanksgiving programme which featured songs of praise, testimonies, Bible presentation and prayers for the successful completion of his tenure as VC and meaningful Progress at the Federal University Oye.
The Celebrant and FUOYE’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Fasina appreciated God who had given him privilege to occupy the position.
Professor Fasina who noted that despite the petitions, negative comments and other plots to mar his image during the contest, God shown that He ruled in the affairs of men.
The FUOYE’s Vice Chancellor challenged to always have Faith and put their total trust in God who could enthrone and dethrone.
“Any person who needs promotion or position should look unto God, the only person that gives position is God, that was the reason i said in my acceptance speech, God wins”.
In his message to the Academics, Professor Fasina urged them to be focused, steadfast and always put their trust in God.
He noted that a good Academic needed to be diligent and always good to the people and the system that his earning the daily living.
The Wife of the Celebrant, Dr Bosede Fasina who could hid her joy, said she felt so, elated, honored and fulfilled for the privilege God gave her husband to reach the highest position of his career.
In her message, Dr Fasina tasked those working in Academic environment to always believe in God, adding that their promotions would come at appropriate time.
She sought the Cooperation of all and sundry in in entrenching peace, industrial harmony, rapid development and academic excellence in FUOYE.
Some of the Professors from Ekiti State University, EKSU and FUOYE who graced the occasion including, Professor Sola Omotola, Professor Tajudeen Opoola Professor Festus Dario Professor Alabada and Ekiti state Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Professor Ojo Bakare wished the for FUOYE’s Vice Chancellor well in all his endeavours and expressed the belief that the institution would experience meaningful change during his administration.
One of the pastor in Charge of Church, Professor Olorunsola who prayed for Celebrant, charged Christian to always put God first in whatever they do and every place they found themselves, saying that only God that promotion was not from men but God.
In a Sermon entitled “The Terms of Christian Discipleship” Elder Lawrence Oluwagbemi emphasized the need for Christians to dedicate themselves to the service of God.
Elder Oluwagbemi noted that inability of many to live a Christ like life, was responsible for multitude people who promote immoralities and other decadence in the society.
He Charged Nigerians especially Christians to fear God and do His will in order to see the glory of God and to live in abundance grace.
Elder Oluwagbemi who listed the terms of Christian Discipleship to include absolutely love for God, dedication to service, doing His will, patience, meekness and Trust, observed that anyone who claimed to be God’s follower should always honour the word by do His obedience.
