..Tasks University Staff on Academic Excellence.
.. As FUOYE Management Celebrates Soremekun’s Legacy.
A former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Emeritus Professor Kayode Soremekun, has challenged Nigerian leaders to be guided by history and work towards building a nation that commands global respect.
He also urged Nigerians to rise above actions and tendencies that can tarnish the country’s image internationally, stressing the need for visionary leadership capable of harnessing the nation’s abundant human and natural resources for sustainable development.
Professor Soremekun made the remarks during a reception organised in his honour by the Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, and the university management team at Eleventh Hour Hotel, Ado-Ekiti.
Drawing lessons from Israel, Professor Soremekun noted that despite its limited land resources, the country has become a global leader in agriculture through innovation and effective utilisation of available resources.
He therefore challenged Nigerian leaders to maximise the nation’s vast resources, talents and potential to position Nigeria among the leading nations of the world in terms of agriculture, science, technology and academic excellence.
“My message is that leaders should be conscious of history because they will not remain in office forever. Whatever they do will be remembered. If they serve well, history will remember them positively; if they fail, history will also remember them,” Professor Soremekun said.
Speaking on sustaining academic excellence, Professor Soremekun described university administration as a continuous task that requires collective commitment.
According to him, the best way members of staff can contribute to institutional growth is by supporting the Vice-Chancellor’s vision and working together to position the university among globally competitive institutions.
The former Vice-Chancellor, who expressed delight at the honour accorded him by the university management, also commended the remarkable infrastructural development across the institution.
He prayed for the success of Professor Ogunwole’s administration and urged him to sustain his passion for excellence.
“For me, this is a very momentous occasion. It is historic and demonstrates that the current management, ably led by Professor Joshua Ogunwole, has a strong sense of history. The way they have honoured me today, God will also honour them,” he said.
Reflecting on his visit to the university, Professor Soremekun said he was impressed by the significant progress made in infrastructure and institutional development.
“I looked around the university and discovered that a lot has been accomplished. Given Professor Ogunwole’s vast experience, having previously served as Vice-Chancellor of a private university before assuming office at FUOYE, I have no doubt that he will succeed.
“I pray for him because he is a man with a large heart—selfless, generous, hardworking and industrious. He deserves every success in the years ahead. I also hope that after completing his tenure, he will attain even greater heights.”
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, described Emeritus Professor Kayode Soremekun and three other former Vice-Chancellors as visionary leaders whose contributions laid the solid foundation upon which the university continues to build.
Professor Ogunwole said he was particularly excited when Professor Soremekun accepted his invitation to travel from Canada to visit FUOYE.
He described the former Vice-Chancellor as an administrator with exceptional analytical ability, strategic foresight and outstanding leadership qualities.
Highlighting his administration’s eight-point agenda, Professor Ogunwole said his focus would be on world-class research, community engagement, infrastructure development, diversification of the university’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), entrepreneurship, accountability in financial management, staff development and academic excellence.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of staff and students, stressing that his administration would continue to work harmoniously with labour unions to achieve sustainable growth and meaningful development.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the university was finalising plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese company to attract investment, promote development and empower students with critical skills.
In separate goodwill messages, members of staff described Professor Soremekun as a transformational leader whose tenure as FUOYE’s third substantive Vice-Chancellor witnessed remarkable institutional growth and numerous developmental projects that have left enduring legacies.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Tajudeen Opoola, and Professor Amoo described him as a distinguished university administrator with an outstanding record in leadership, performance and institutional transformation.
A Professor of Nursing, Professor Adelani Tijani, who said he first met Professor Soremekun in June 2020, described him as humble, impactful and visionary, adding that his leadership reflected courage, competence and conviction.
Also speaking, Mr Raphael Olarewaju praised Professor Soremekun’s exceptional people-management skills and interpersonal relationship, describing him as a perfect gentleman, father, mentor and a cosmopolitan scholar.
The event was attended by Deans, Heads of Departments, Directors and other Principal officers of the university, including the Registrar, Alhaji Mufutau Ibrahim; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Babatunde Afolabi; the Dean of the Postgraduate School, Professor Babatope Alabadan; and Reverend Sister Professor Euphemia Chika Asogwa, among others.