The members of the University Community have showered the Immediate Past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kolawole Salako with encomiums on Monday, October 31, 2022 as he bows out of office as the 6th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University following the end of his tenure.
Prof. Salako’s five-year tenure ended on October 31, 2022 with various members of FUNAAB Community including Unions, Students and traditional rulers extolling the virtues of the Immediate Past Vice-Chancellor describing him as an exemplary leader who is student oriented, staff-friendly, hardworking, and a lover of all.
At the Send Forth Ceremony spearheaded by the Institute for Human Resources Development (INHURD) and supported by members of NAAT, SSANU, NASU, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) FUNAAB, Ogun state and other friends of the University, FUNAAB staff took to the dancing floor to celebrate the Vice-Chancellor for his achievements.
In his Welcome Address, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Christian Ikeobi congratulated the Immediate Past Vice-Chancellor for positively and phenomenally improving the image of the University, stating that he has contributed substantially to the growth and development of FUNAAB.
He described him as a man who identifies with the pains of the highs and lows, adding that he took the University from a place of pain to limelight of positive image, beauty, grace and development internationally and locally.
Prof. Ikeobi added that Prof. Salako is a man of many parts, stating that he brought the University to a limelight of international recognitions and accolades in the realm of academics, fellowship and grants among many others.
He stated that under his tenure, FUNAAB rose from 38th to 9th position in the ranking of Universities in Nigeria, adding that the University’s College of Veterinary Medicine was also adjudged as one of the best in Africa.
The DVCA appreciated Prof. Salako for being a man of the people through his unprecedented contributions to improving the various town and gown relationship and his successful feats, stating that he has contributed greatly to the development of the University in all aspects.
Delivering his Goodwill Message, The Baale of Mawuko, Chief Wasiu Ogunbanke represented by the Balogun, Chief (Engr.) Adekunle Adeoye commended Prof. Salako for impacting positively on Mawuko Community.
He said the Immediate Past Vice-Chancellor came to their rescue at a point when they where in dire need of water which affected quite a number of Mawuko residents.
According to him, “Prof. Salako gave us water at a point when there was water scarcity in the Land which affected a lot of people. He came around and told us the University had chosen Mawuko to be one of the beneficiaries of social amenities for catchment areas and he gave us a borehole”.
“Till date, when we drink or use the water, we always remember him and FUNAAB because it served a great purpose and still serving us till this moment”, he said.
The Baale also commended him for seeing to the security of the Community, stressing that through the Director, Institute of Human Resources Development (INHURD), Prof. Adewale Talabi, he contributed massively to the security of the Community financially which has made everyone feel secured in Mawuko.
He however described Prof. Talabi as humility-personified, noting that he has been doing well for INHURD and Mawuko Community at large.
Similarly, Director, INHURD, Prof. Adewale Talabi commended Prof. Salako for restoring peace to the University, emphasising that in the last five years of his tenure, FUNAAB has experienced tremendous peace.
He said “it is in the atmosphere of peace that progress can be made”, and congratulated the Vice-Chancellor for ensuring that there is a peaceful coexistence among all stakeholders in the University.
Also, various representatives of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOS) extolled the out gone Vice-Chancellor for serving the University meritoriously, stating that his developmental contributions to FUNAAB is visible and evident in all the projects done by his Administration.
Present at the Send Forth were Director, Community-Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS), Prof. Sunday Adigbo, Director, Information and Communication Technology Resources Centre (ICTREC), Dr. Olutayo Ajayi, Director, Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), Mr. Olusola Marayesa, Director, Directorate of Technologists and Technical Staff (DITTECS), Dr. Julius Amira, Head, Directorate of Public Relations, Mr. Kola Adepoju Chairmen of SSANU and NAAT, Comrades Williams Fasunwon and Joseph Olurinde, and members of NASU among many others.
