Adeleke happy with UNIOSUN’s meteoric rise, extends VC’s tenure by two years, inaugurates new governing council

By Isa Isawade

The Osun State Governor and Visitor to Osun State University, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has announced a two-year extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye.

It was an excited Governor Adeleke that made the announcement on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Governing Council of the university.

The governor, who said that the Vice-chancellor initially did not give his nod to the extension, explained that he had now approved and formalised the additional two years for the Vice-chancellor.

The inauguration of the council followed the dissolution and immediate reconstitution of the university’s governing council by the State government.

Adeleke said the decision was taken in the interest of the university to strengthen its governance structure, ensure continuity and prevent any vacuum that could disrupt its administration and operations.

The governor also retained Professor Adewale Abiodun Oladipo as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, citing his experience and understanding of the university.

Other members inaugurated into the council are Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal, Alhaji Lateef Olalekan Olayanju, Mr Akinola Franklin Omoniyi, Chief Funminiyi Awotide, Mr Orija Samuel Adebayo, Mrs Adewale Adetayo Bola and Mrs Olawale Oludayo Abolade.

Addressing the new council members, Adeleke urged them to discharge their responsibilities with humility, integrity, courage and commitment to the public interest.

He said, “I charge you to work harmoniously with the Vice-Chancellor and management, stressing that the governing council and management should not operate as competing centres of authority.”

He said the two arms must function within the law and with mutual respect towards achieving the advancement of the university.

He described UNIOSUN as “one of the enduring investments of the people of Osun State”, adding that its academic and research activities contributed to the economic, social and intellectual development of the state and Nigeria.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Oladipo, who also chaired the dissolved council, expressed appreciation to the governor for retaining him based on the achievements recorded by the previous council.

Oladipo reeled out some of the accomplishments of the dissolved council and pledged that the reconstituted council would build on the gains recorded and work towards taking the university to greater heights.

In his vote of thanks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebooye, thanked Governor Adeleke, members of the State Executive Council and the newly inaugurated governing council for honouring the occasion.

Adebooye pledged that the university management would continue to work with the council and other stakeholders to sustain the institution’s growth and position UNIOSUN among leading universities in Africa and beyond.

UNIOSUN has moved fast to emerge 19th on the Top 20 Universities and number 3rd State University in Nigeria. Its Senate Building has been described as the best in the country.