The Vice Chancellor, Professor Felix Kolawole Salako has harped on the need for leaders at all levels of governance to embrace continuity even as he charged students to take their mental health seriously.
He made this call at the Commissioning of the Student Union Relaxation Centre and Presentation of Awards to honorees, organised by the Com. Micheal Oloyede (a.k.a Proverbial)-led Student Union.
The Vice Chancellor, who commended the outgoing Student Union Executives for revisiting the Student Relaxation Centre Project which was initiated by the 2014/2015 Team Good Work Administration led by Com. Olajumoke Olawale (a.k.a Ola-Ola). He appreciated them for achieving the feat and keying into the continuity agenda of the University.
He charged the students and the incoming executives of the Union to continue along the line of progress, stating that though there is a lifespan for every tenure, there should still be continuity of good legacies while injecting progressive initiatives or agenda of a new administration.
According to him, “it is not tidy to start a project in the first place if there is no adequate fund to complete it. Nonetheless, if a subsequent administration can afford the completion of such an infrastructure, it should be large-hearted enough to complete such. Abandoned projects usually constitute an eyesore on landscapes”.
Professor Salako also reiterated Management’s commitment to ensuring that students mental health is given high priority, stating that his Administration is opened to assisting any student that is suffering from any form of depression. “The University Management will continue to check the menace by doing the needful to stem the tide”, he said.
The Vice Chancellor however warned students and youths in general against indulging in social vices especially consumption of illicit substances and encouraged them to confide in the Dean of Student Affairs and other University personnel on their challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor while disclosing that he had been enjoying robust Management-Student Union relationship over the years, attributed the synergy to the ability of his Administration to understand and relate well with student challenges and finding a common ground on several issues in the university.
He maintained that though the University Management respects the rights of students, it frowns at any attempt by students to violate the laws and rules governing the affairs of the University.
The Vice Chancellor further encouraged the students to realize that a peaceful environment is needed for progress.
According to him, “students should realize that a peaceful environment is required for progress. Relating well with the Administration does not mean any Union will be taken for granted and we have shown that here, he added.
“When you start a violence, you should always remember that you can’t predict the end. Students must realise that this thing called ‘Aluta’ is something that should be managed well by first engaging in dialogue”. he added.
He, however, called on Nigeria leaders to provide an enabling environment for the youths to be actively involved in the socio-economic and political development of the country.
According to him, “An enabling environment must be provided by leaders for youths to thrive because many of them have great potentials in terms of contributing to the greatness of this country which is why majority of them perform excellently well when they leave the shores of Nigeria.
Awards were presented to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kolawole Salako and other dignitaries present.
