Out-going VC, Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun (Right) addressing the Union members while the in-coming VC, Prof. Olusola Oyewole (Middle) and the Ag. Librarian, Dr. (Mrs.) Mulikat Salaam listen with rapt attention.
The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun has, again, re-assured members of the University community, that the incoming Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole will not perform below standard in office.
Professor Balogun reiterated his confidence in Professor Oyewole during a Send-forth programme, organized in his honour by the University’s branch of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), held at the Unity Building, FUNAAB.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was accompanied to the event by Professor Oyewole and some Principal Officers, said his successor is determined to take the University to greater heights.
According to him, “The baton (Vice-Chancellorship) is going not only to a Pastor but a Church Founder. I don’t know what to expect other than the enhancement of growth, progress and peace, so shall it be in Jesus Name”.
Speaking on his achievements while in office, Professor Balogun said: “It is a position of trust. Everything we have done is a normal thing that I was employed to do. Nothing short of what we have done is expected of me, but then it is not everybody who has a desire to achieve. Except the Lord builds the house, the labourers labour in vain.
But what are His materials to build the house? They are: His grace, favour, peace and so on. These are the Civil Engineering materials that God normally uses. Remove any one, the building won’t be completed”.
Professor Balogun stressed, “But because the Lord made available materials in quantum we were able to complete the house, beautifully”.
The Vice-Chancellor thanked the leadership and members of NAAT for contributing immensely to his success in office, noting that “There had been periods that David will want to go to war with 10,000 men but the Lord will say go with 100”.
“My belief is that whether you are a cleaner or a Technologist, everybody has his or her role to play. I can be 10 Professors in one but I can’t take truck to go and carry pigs in Obasanjo Farms”, he added.
He declared that “I have no special interest in any Union; I am the father of all unions. If you are a true father, then, there will be peace and harmony in your homes, hence the sustained peace on campus”.
Professor Balogun further stated, “What we have done here, I have learnt to do it even better if given the privilege elsewhere. I have acquired more knowledge, particularly, on how to manage a complex rumour-mongering society. I have learnt that you don’t have to bother your head, but to remain focused. That, I am taking away from here”.
He called on NAAT and the entire staff of the University to take the issue of self capacity building more seriously, noting that some were still lagging behind.
He stressed: “Our capacity within needs more to be desired. We don’t align to self capacity development. We should refresh our knowledge in our area of callings, else we will continue to see outsiders, coming here to perform better and having an edge”.
Professor Balogun, however, put smiles on the faces of NAAT by approving their promotions, in line with the official practise.
He also directed that the office of the Deputy Director, Equipment Maintenance Centre, Mr. A. O. Ojo be equipped with furniture and fittings before the end of the week, in response to the earlier requests made by Mr. Ojo.
Earlier, a top member of NAAT, Mr. J. O. Amira, who reeled out Prof. Balogun’s litany of achievements said: “You made us acceptable in this community. If not for your intervention, we would have been treated like foot mats”.
According to Amira, Prof. Balogun’s contributions to NAAT include the off-setting of a seven-year-old debt, inherited from the previous administration and the appointment of a Technologist as the Director of Equipment and Maintenance Centre (EMC).
Others are the upgrading of the Technologists Salary Scale, from CONTISS 13 to 15; sponsorship to international and local conferences and trainings with Mr. Saba, Ajayi Emmanuel of the Directorate of Public Relations, being the first beneficiary; creation of the Directorate of Technologists and Technical Staff; inclusion of Technologists as Congregation members; and serving on Users’ Committees of the University.
