The Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Prof. Joseph Ayodele, has commended the Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji for his relentless commitment in repositioning the university into a world-class institution of learning.
Prof. Ayodele praised the state governor for maintaining his resolve and total commitment for academic excellence, innovation and research development as a visitor, alumnus and former lecturer of the university.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution gave the commendation on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during the interactive S’etigbo multicast, anchored by the Bureau of Community Communications.
While applauding Governor Oyebanji’s openness and collaborative approach with well-meaning Nigerians and Ekiti people that have contributed significantly to the growth of the institution, the VC assured that the university would continue to uphold the highest standards in research, teaching and community service.
His words: “On policy issues, he has made significant contributions by giving us a robust council chairman and members who are giving us robust policies and even follow up on implementations.
“The chancellor he has given to us is a wonderful man and a philanthropist to the core. He has done a lot of things; procurement of excursion vehicles, field work vehicles for Geology, trading room, 241 points for solar lights both within and outside the campus, provision of two transformers, N5 million to members of academic staff going for conferences abroad and a lot of things he has done for us.
“He has intervened in a lot of infrastructural facilities in the College of Medicine to enable us get additional quota from 50 to 100. He has also connected well-meaning citizens of Ekiti and outside Ekiti. Senate President, Godswill Akpabio was brought to the state and he gave us a hall at the Faculty of Law in preparation for the acquisition of law program to get our quota increased from 60 to 250. We are hopeful that it is going to be done.
“Also, Dr Zacch Adedeji, one of his friends is giving us over 1bn project at Faculty of Management Science. He has worked very well with Senator Michael Bamidele to give us a medical hostel.
“He and his wife facilitated the coming of the wife of the President to the university, the first of its kind since the inception of the university over 24 years ago to come and commissioned the Renewed Hope ICT Experience Centre which was donated by the wife of the President. She also gave us 500bn as endowment in honour of the President.
“IPPs has been extended to the university and GRA where the VC lives. Students get bursary, scholarships and a lot of things he is doing for our university. He has cleared all outstanding subventions and we are not owing any salary arrears. He has supported us to pay the new salary structure approved by the government for academic and non-teaching staff.
“There is peace on campus and we working together with union members as a group. Students can now know when they graduate. He is encouraging us and giving us emotional, financial and infrastructure support. He is doing a lot of things to ensure that he reposition the university as he promised when I took over as VC.”
He equally noted that EKSU has recorded remarkable improvement in its ranking among Nigerian universities adding that the institution has moved from its previous position of 33rd among State universities to the number one position, attributing the progress to improved infrastructure, effective administration and the support of the state government and other stakeholders.
The Vice Chancellor also commended the Chancellor and other member of the university Governing Council for their immense contributions to the development of EKSU and expressed his desire to be remembered for ensuring that the progress recorded by the university is sustained and improved upon.
