The Vice Chancellor, Professor Felix Kolawole Salako has admonished students and the newly-elected executives of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Student Union (FUNAABSU), to always resist the urge to post breaking news that could have an adverse effect on the image of the University.
Speaking at the Swearing-in Ceremony of the new executives, the Vice-Chancellor stated that it was good to practice journalism, advising the students to practice the noble profession in a positive way. According to him, “As much as it is good to practice journalism, ensure you do not allow your breaking news to break the University. Do not dent the image of your school”.
He expressed his happiness towards the successful transition from one administration to another, encouraging the students to always protect and promote the image of the University, while avoiding careless online postings.
According to him, “One thing is very paramount to me and that is the image of the University. It matters a lot and so you must protect it always. For every time there is a negative news online, it will not only affect the image, but it will also affect your certificate and the Management”.
He further charged the new executives to play their roles effectively and ensure they leave a good legacy as their predecessors have done, advising them to always be punctual at occasions. According to him, “Don’t go late to functions. There is nothing like African Time”
While commending the FUNAAB Independent Electoral Committee (FUNIEC) for conducting a violence-free election coupled with the maturity displayed, the Vice Chancellor appreciated the out-gone executives led by Comr. Michael Oloyede for working together with the Management in ensuring a peaceful co-existence in the University. He added that despite various challenges and misunderstandings, they performed excellently well.
In her remarks, the Dean, Student Affairs, Professor Adebukunola Omemu congratulated the out-gone executives for the good work they did during their tenure, even as she appreciated them for being worthy ambassadors of the University.
She disclosed that despite the challenges of COVID-19 at the beginning of their tenure and almost throughout their tenure, they still worked assiduously to project the good image of the University.
Professor Omemu further commended them for their responsible acts in discharging their duties, saying that they were always eager to embrace dialogue before taking any action.
She, therefore, admonished the newly-elected executives to always remember that the Student Union is the representative of the entire body of students in the University, stressing that the Union also serves as an effective training ground for true leadership.
According to her, “I want you to know that this is the beginning of a new phase in your lives. You have become leaders and role models to some people and lots of them will look up to you now. Some will copy you and some will aspire to be like you so that means you have to be very careful of what you say or do and always remember that leadership is divine”.
“The responsibilities you are taking up today is a test case to develop your capacity in human management and I encourage you to always carry other students along in your decision making”, she added.
The Dean further charged them to commit themselves to excellence and avoid allowing their emotions and crave for popularity to becloud their sense of judgement, stating that their attitude to leadership should be that which would further stabilize the system and not destabilize it.
She encouraged them to render true service to the teeming population of FUNAAB students rather than indulging in the pursuit of personal interest, and emulate the leadership style of the out-gone executives which closely collaborated with the University Management to ensure that peace reigned on campus.
She said, “I want you to know that the days of thuggery and unbridled exuberance in the name of unionism are long gone. The last executives has shown that you don’t have to be violent to get what you want and one thing that has helped them is constructive unionism and effective leadership. So embrace dialogue because relationship works better than violence and fight”.
Professor Omemu, however, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for providing an enabling environment for the Student Affairs Division to work and the students to flourish, stating that without an enabling environment and a listening University Management, nothing would have been achieved.
Meanwhile, the newly-elected President, Comr. Oluwaseyi Ale, while declaring his administration an “All-inclusive One”, solicited for the contribution of everyone’s input and support, stating that with the cooperation of all FUNAABites and the staunch support of the Management, no hurdle would be hard to cross.
Highpoint was the swearing of the newly-elected executives by the University Legal Officer, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Daramola.
Present at the occasion were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Bolanle Akeredolu-Ale; Deputy Dean, Student Affairs, Dr. Adeboye Fafiolu; Deputy Registrar I, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Dawodu; Matron, FUNAAB SUG, Mrs. Olukemi Fasina; Asst. Chief Environmental Officer, Mr. Bolarinwa Peter and the pastor in charge, Father’s House Church, Odo-Eran, Reverend Wale Akinrobi.
