Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of this great University is a rare gem in many respects. For example, on assumption of office, as Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, the first bold, rare and unexpected step he took was to take all Principal Officers of the University to Ilorin, where he came from and where he has most of his God-given assets, especially, his farm.
When they got there, they marveled at what they saw. One of them, a friend of mine, told me that, he has never seen poultry devoid of odour before, until he saw his (Prof. Balogun’s) farm. That singular action, not only proves that he is not here to steal, but also has nothing to hide.
One other action that makes him a rare gem is that Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun is the first Vice-Chancellor to build a Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge on the campus of the University.
This is a palatial, sprawling and tastefully-furnished building that he doesn’t know who will occupy it as the next Vice-Chancellor. This shows him as a large-hearted man.
As at the time of this writing, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun has only forty-four (44) days to spend as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of this great University. Up till today, there has not been any known rumour of fraud against him, and neither is any act of impropriety levied against him. He is a human being and not an Angel. We also thank God for him that the result of the Federal Government’s Visitation Panel also vindicated him on all grounds.
During his prudent administration of the University by this highly detribalized Nigerian, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta is now the Second Best University in Nigeria.
Sentiments apart, there is no time I think of what the Lord has used this great, kind and large-hearted gentleman for that tears don’t start rolling down my cheeks. This is because one cannot catalogue enough, all he did, in terms of physical infrastructure, human upliftment and sound academic programmes’ development in this University. All these are just in five years!
Late Awo, once said that by the time his colleagues were busy dining and wining, he was always at his table thinking of how to solve Nigeria’s problems. The same is true of Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun. On daily basis, he is always at his table from as early as 3:00 a.m, working.
On 5th January, 2012, during the usual annual prayer, to usher-in the New Year in the University, he told everybody that he will work hard to the last day of his tenure, as Vice-Chancellor and enjoined everybody to brace up.
This is the man that will be leaving the stage as our fourth Vice-Chancellor. Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, is not an angel, however, the afore-mentioned make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He has come, has seen and has conquered.
We can only pray for him and his family for God’s guidance, and that God should compensate him with a higher position of responsibility, to prove further his God-given talent as a seasoned administrator.