The Governing Council of the University led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Alhaji Umar Ahmed, today, October 6, 2022 paid a Courtesy Visit to the former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at his private residence at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Speaking at the occasion, the Pro-Chancellor stated that the Visit was part of the familiarisation meeting of prominent Egba indigenes to seek their support and fatherly advice for the success of their tenure. According to him, “You are a father to all and we will need your fatherly advice”.
Affirming the Pro-Chancellor’s stance, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Felix Kolawole Salako recalled that the last Council’s tenure ended in May 2021, adding that between May 2021 and September 2022, the University was with no Governing Council. He ascribed the interregnum to the disagreement between the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), the latter who claimed to be responsible for appointing the Chairman.
Professor Salako further stated that it was President Muhammad Buhari who intervened that the FME was incharge of University matters, thereby appreciating the former President for the warm welcome of the Governing Council members.
In his response, the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, while welcoming the Pro-Chancellor and other members to Ogun State, noted the importance of tertiary education, stressing that without men and women to see the nation’s development plan to fruition, the whole plan won’t yield.
He commended President Buhari for returning specialised universities to the FME, disclosing that it was the right thing to do. The former President who was one time a military ruler in Nigeria, further disclosed that FUNAAB has done a lot to promote agribusiness in Nigeria and most especially in its catchment area.
The former President sought for more synergy between the researchers in agriculture and practicing farmers, adding that the four universities of agriculture in Nigeria were important as far as agribusiness is concerned. He noted that he was a direct and indirect beneficiary of FUNAAB as he used some of its products, like its graduates and what it produces. President Obasanjo, however, wished the new Governing Council a successful tenure.
Highpoint was the presentation of FUNAAB products to President Obasanjo and a guided familiarisation tour of the OOPL museum.
Accompanying the Pro-Chancellor were Alhaji Inuwa Tahir; Barr. Patrick Omeke; Mr. Adegboyega Adebajo; Dr. Celina Gana and Mrs. H. Lawal.
Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Christian Ikeobi; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Professor Babatunde Kehinde; Registrar, Dr. Bola Adekola; Bursar, Mr. Chukwuwinke Ezekpeazu and the University Librarian, Professor Fehintola Onifade.
Others were Professor Biodun Badmus; Professor Emmanuel Fakoya; Professor Festus Adeosun; Professor Folake Henshaw; Professor Jonathan Atungwu and Dr. O. Ogundiran.
In addition, the Deputy Registrar II, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mr. Moses Ayanda; Deputy Registrar II, Council Affairs, Mrs. Oluwakemi Banuso; Head, Public Relations, Mr. Kola Adepoju; Asst. Chief Environmental Officer, Mr. Peter Bolarinwa; Asst. Director, Protocol and Passages, Mr. Emeka Oluka, as well as the Principal Public Relations Officer, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mr. Olasunkanmi Olajide were part of the Pro-Chancellor’s entourage.
