The Presidential Visitation Panel to Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB) has hit the ground running with spate of inaugural meetings with stakeholders within and outside the University Community.
Hardly had the Panel arrived the University when it as a matter urgency immediately paid the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, the Agura of Gbagura,, Oba Babajide Bakre, the Ogun State headquarter of Department of Security Services (DSS) in Abeokuta; Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Edward Ajogun and the Chairman, Odeda Local Government, Hon. Semiu Lawal, a maiden and familiarization courtesy visits.
In what appears like business unusual, the Chairman of the Visitation Panel and former Vice Chancellor of University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Prof. Akaneren Essien wasted no time in presenting ‘Call for Memoranda’ to his hosts, calling their attention to the need to painstakingly study the terms of reference therein and respond without fear or favour.
Commencing the Panel’s meeting on Campus with top officials of the University cutting across stratas: Administrative cadres and Unions at Senate Chamber and Ceremonial Building respectively for two (2) successive days, the Chairman said he was glad to be in FUNAAB.
He informed that the Panel was inaugurated on the 13th of April by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu recalling that the last Visitation Panel to Federal Institutions was in 2010, which covered a period of 5 years of 2005 to 2010.
He stated that since then no Panel was constituted until the constitution of the present Panel.
Prof. Essien described their work as enormous and challenging, because two (2) periods (that cover a 10-year duration) 2011 – 2020 is under consideration.
He therefore called for submission of memoranda from stakeholders even as he emphasized and pin-pointed the ”Terms of Reference’ therein.
He sought the support and cooperation of members of the University Community, which according to him, is “crucial to prompt execution of the assignment” at hand.
Speaking at the Palaces of Alake of Egbaland, Agura of Gbagura and at the Headquarters of Ogun State Police Command, DSS Headquarters, Abeokuta, Ogun State and Odeda Local Government, Odeda, Prof. Essien noted that the visitation is a routine exercise put in place every five years to assess the University.
At every meeting with stakeholders, Prof. Essien assured that the Panel’s duty is not to witch-hunt anybody but to look into the books as it affects the institution and espoused in the ‘Call for Memoranda’ which was presented to stakeholders.
The Chairman expressed gratitude to his hosts for their cordial reception and equally seized the opportunity to seek for the monarchs and security agencies support towards peace, progress and development of the University.
The Presidential Visitation Panel to FUNAAB comprises Prof. Akaneren Essien (Chairman); Dr. Lateef A. Odekunle, FCA; Barr. Uchenna Okonkwo; Prof. (Mrs.) Foluso Okebukola; Prof. Yahaya Shehu; Dr. Jubre J. Molwus members and Mrs. Vivian Luke (Secretary).
