The Vice – Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Olusola Babatunde Kehinde has pleaded passionately with members of the University Community, to join him like never before in building a better FUNAAB.

Prof. Kehinde said that his Administration is mindful of the adverse effect of the social and economic downturns on the members of the University Community, urging them not to be distracted and dampened by the challenges but to muster courage to join him in building a FUNAAB of global standard.

The Vice – Chancellor spoke at an Interdenominational Church Service marking the 30th Convocation Ceremonies of FUNAAB at the institution’s Chapel of Grace.

Making reference to the Book of Nehemiah Chapter 2 and the Exhortation of the former Acting Vice – Chancellor, Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin earlier at the Service, the Vice – Chancellor declared:

” I have a burden that I want to share with you; I have a plea that I want to make to you. I want to share with you the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem”;

“God used Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. God used Nehemiah to restore the glory of Jerusalem”.

Prof. Kehinde continued: “Look at the trouble that we are in. Look at the challenges that we are facing, it is not our own making but let us not be distracted by the challenges, let us join hands to build a better FUNAAB”.

Speaking further, Prof. Kehinde stated: “Prof. Enikuomehin mentioned few things. It is only God that can reward us. I will do my part and you do your part to build a better FUNAAB”;

“Let us work with our heart to build FUNAAB and as we do so we won’t lose our reward from God. Be rest assured that your efforts in building FUNAAB won’t be wasted, by the time we leave the stage posterity will remember us for good”.

Prof. Kehinde appealed that “Though sometimes we might do something that is unacceptable to you but know that it’s borne out of genuine intention and not deliberate intention to hurt you”

He stressed, “Please we will need to stretch ourselves and it’s for one purpose and that is that FUNAAB may continue to excel”

The Vice – Chancellor described the ranking of FUNAAB as the second best University in Nigeria and 26th in Africa by Times Higher Education ranking of Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa as strong indication that God is already building a better FUNAAB.

Prof. Kehinde described the feat as an act of God saying, “The good work was done with the help of God. God just backed us up and it is our collective efforts in the University that God backed up”.

The Vice – Chancellor reiterated the commitment of his Administration to building a better FUNAAB saying, “I want to pledge to this whole Assembly and our University at large that we shall serve you with honesty and God bless all of us as you joined us to build a better FUNAAB”

Earlier, the Vice -Chancellor congratulated the graduands and the entire University Community for the reality of 30th Convocation Ceremonies because “it has been a tortuous journey”.

He stated that the graduands got to their final year in 2021 but here we are graduating them in 2023 due to extraneous factors.

He commended and thanked both Academic and Non-Teaching Staff, especially the former for their doggedness and resilience in baking the students to the point of graduation despite odds.

He congratulated the students for being found worthy in character and learning towards their convocation on Friday and Saturday this week.