Adebayo Adenrele
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Sunday Fasina, has hailed the new Governing Council Board led by Engr. Olubunmi Kayode Ojo for a recent approval of about 90% of developmental programmes put forward by the management team for a speedy and holistic growth and development of the University.
This was contained in a statement signed and made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on media, Wole Balogun.
Prof. Fasina said the encouraging gesture from the new Federal Government representatives who constitute the highest authority of the University, was a clear signal that FUOYE would witness more giant strides in the years to come.
He disclosed that at the first Council meeting of the University held few days ago on the main campus in Oye-Ekiti, the Engr. Ojo’s led team approved almost all the requests his management team put forward to ensure a speedy development and growth of the University.
Listing the approved programmes, Prof. Fasina said: “We wish to use this medium to appreciate the new members of the Governing Council of our great University, led by Engr. Olubunmi Kayode Ojo for approving about 90 % of programmes we have designed jointly tor a speedy development and growth of our dear University. At the first Council meeting we had a gracious and kind approval of a take off grant for the University’s Microfinance bank which will ensure a sound management of resources for our staff. We also got approval for the acquisition of a 30 hectares of land for oil palm plantation situated between lre-Ekiti and lgbemo-Ekiti axis of Ekiti State.
“We had approval also for an internet hub Directorate for the University which will ensure 24 internet access for all on campus . We had an approval for additional hostels to cater for our teeming students on campus . Another big one we got approval for is FUOYE Staff Housing Estate which would comprise staff quarters with sound social amenities. This Staff Housing Estate shall be named after Prof. Fasina as pronounced by the Council Chairman, Engr. Ojo in recognition of his sterling performance as VC. This initiative will provide more robust campus life for our teeming staff,” he said.
Also giving further list of other great initiatives approved by the Council particularly in the area of infrastructural development, Prof Fasina said: “A new building for Convocation ceremonies with 1000 seating capacity has also been approved by the Council and will be completed before the next Convocation ceremony next year. The newly completed Faculty of Law complex shall be furnished and be ready for the next accreditation exercise as approved by Council. We will soon roll out a massive sale of maize from our maize plantation. This will be available for all staff members at low prices.
“In Oye campus alone, we have 10 hectares of maize, cassava and plantain plantation and with that we are contributing greatly in the area of food security. 30 new Directors have been appointed to ensure proper and effective management of the various directorates of the University. 3 more are to be appointed. We have appointed a Special Adviser to the VC on students’ affairs so that we can maintain more friendly and enriching relationship with our students. His name is Mr. Salahudeen Teslim. He is a former FUOYE students’ Union leader and now a Graduate Assistant with the University. Still on staff welfare, the Council has also approved two new Tata buses for ease of transportation for staff and students at subsidized rates. This will make the buses come to four in number as we already have two on ground.
“The council has also approved the appointment of third and fourth Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs). The third DVC shall be in charge of strategic duties such as Research, innovations and Linkages among others, while the fourth will supervise the activities of the various satellite campuses of the University that are currently in about 15 towns in Ekiti State and report to the VC.
The Council equally approved the management’s proposed Strategic plan from 2020 to 2026 meant to place the University on a soaring developmental process and also 28 day payment with Professors getting N364,000 each while other categories get their payments according to their grade levels.The alerts are dropping already for members of staff. This gesture from the Council is a welcome development and really aligns with my vision as VC. My focus is to massively develop this University and l am getting a great support from the Council on this,” he said.