The year 2017 has been described as a year to express appreciation as individuals and as a University. This was the call of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, during the annual Christian prayer session held to usher-in a New Year. Professor Oyewole stated that although the University had passed through stormy weathers in the previous year, it was able to survive by the grace of God, saying “many universities would not have survived what we passed through and survive. But it is only God that saw us through”.

He charged every member of staff to be filled with gratitude for God’s grace and mercies over happenings in the previous year, while tasking all stakeholders to work together with unity of purpose, to sustain the University’s glory. The Vice-Chancellor expressed his displeasure over the state of affairs and challenges faced by the University last year, in terms of the inability to access research grants by beneficiaries, amongst others. He, however, disclosed that normalcy had returned to campus, saying “it shall be well with us”. He further appreciated the efforts of the various arms and stakeholders in the University in the midst of the crises and lauded the students for showing understanding by ensuring that the system did not crumble, despite the challenges.

In an exhortation, Professor Jacob Akinyemi, the Head, Department of Mechatronics, College of Engineering (COLENG) of the University, members of staff were assured that God is capable of doing a new thing in their lives. He charged them to learn to thank God at all times and offer prayers for the good of the University. To make 2017 a glorious year, he charged FUNAAB stakeholders to live a righteous life, flourish, rejoice and be blessed, as other anointed men of God prayed for staff, students and the University in general at the occasion.

Similarly, the Islamic prayer session was held simultaneously at the University mosque. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, who was represented at the event by a Governing Council Member, Professor Adesina Agboola, appreciated God for His faithfulness, protection and provision since the beginning of his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor, while appreciating members of staff and students, particularly, those who kept the system going during the challenging periods. According to the Vice-Chancellor, though the University was now experiencing a dearth of funds as FUNAAB funds with the Federal Government had been mopped up as at December 31, 2016, He was, however, hopeful that with God, all problems would be settled, as he enjoined all stakeholders to come together and move FUNAAB forward.
   
Giving an exhortation, the Chief Imam, Muslim community, Professor Idris Ayinde of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), said that though  last year was bedeviled with a lot of challenges, recession and turbulence in the country as a whole and the University in particular, he admonished that whatever trials that befell the nation would be solved by Allah. He disclosed that a leader would always be held responsible to give account of his/her stewardship. He also noted that good followership would lead to good leadership and vice

versa. According to the Imam, it was the responsibility of the members of the University community to pray for the Vice-Chancellor and Management, while leading the congregation for supplications that Allah would appoint a good Vice-Chancellor for the University; a person He had chosen, irrespective of where he/she hails from. Dignitaries present at the mosque include the University Librarian, Dr. Mulikat Salaam; former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Toyin Arowolo; the Amir of the Muslim Community, Professor Kehinde Okeleye; the Dean, College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), Professor Lateef Sanni; Dean, College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS), Professor Amidu Mustapha; Director, Centre for Internationalisation and Partnerships (CENIP), Professor Sherriff Adewuyi; and Deputy Registrar, Senate and Admissions, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Dawodu, among others.