Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (3rd Left) with his wife, Chief Bola Obasanjo (2nd Right), UNAAB VC, Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun (2nd Left) and Director, Physical Planning, Mr. Babatunde Ayodele (1st Left) at the new Female Hostel construction site.
Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, has been given a pass mark for excellent performance as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
Nigerian former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, gave the Vice-Chancellor a big pat on the back, after his completion of the tour of project sites in the University.
Chief Obasanjo, accompanied by his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Bola Obasanjo, said “what you have done in this short period is commendable and you have distinguished yourself as an achiever”.
The former President could not hide his admiration, as he admitted that he was overwhelmed by the massive infrastructural development the University had witnessed in the last four years.
“What I have seen has conquered me and I am really overwhelmed. Not only that, it has vindicated me. If I can put it that way, I was tremendously impressed with what I have seen. Over less than 4½ years, the Vice-Chancellor has done great work in the University.
Great work in physical development, great work in academic development, great work in relationship within the community, great work in harmony within the University itself. Between the academic staff and non-academic staff, between the staff and the student”.
Commending the foresight of the Vice-Chancellor, Chief Obasanjo said, “He has brought a lot of innovations which one can see on the ground and I will put it this way, the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, is particularly fortunate to have this Vice-Chancellor to manage the affairs of the University at this point in time and at this point in the development of the University”.
Chief Obasanjo said he was delighted that the confidence he reposed in Professor Balogun while appointing him in 2007, was not misplaced.
The former Commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces then expressed the hope that successors of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor would keep up the tempo and also ensure proper maintenance of the facilities.
Chief Obasanjo said, “I hope what you have put in here will not go to waste. I hope that those who will be taking the baton from you will not only maintain the height, but take it further.
I appreciate the staff as well, because regardless of the quality and determination of the leadership, you need the people to drive the vision. I can see that the staff had been cooperative and committed”.
Continuing, he said “Truth is, you (Professor Balogun) are too young to retire. I believe that at the appropriate time, the system will put you where you can be recycled” for greater service to the nation.
In his response, Professor Balogun thanked Chief Obasanjo for sparing the time to embark on the inspection and commended his continuous support of the cause of the University.
The Vice-Chancellor added, “I hope you (Chief Obasanjo) will feel fulfilled and vindicated of your choice of Vice-Chancellors, as has been demonstrated in the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and in the University of Ibadan (UI).
