By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
It was an excitement galore as the newly inaugurated Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele takes over the mantle of authority of the institution amidst pomp and pegantry.
The elaborate ceremony which took place at the school auditorium had in attendance who-is-who in the society especially in the education sector including traditional rulers, friends and family.
Speaking while delivering his inaugural speech, Prof. Babatola Ayodele appreciated God for His kindness on the University community and also thank the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji for supporting the institution.
His words: “I give glory to the Almighty God who has spared my life to witness this glorious moment, and for counting me worthy to be appointed as the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti out of many other qualified.
“I sincerely acknowledge and appreciate the Governor of Ekiti State and The Visitor to the institution, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for the approval given to the recommendations of the Governing Council, in line with the provision of the University Law, and for providing a level playing ground for all the candidates. This is also a demonstration of his passion for the development of the University.
The new VC also stated that, “the University will forever be grateful to His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and his government for the unprecedented increase in the monthly / subvention to the university. Members of the university community shall reciprocate this kind gesture by rededicating ourselves to effective service delivery.
He said, “I want to use this medium to acknowledge and appreciate the Chancellor to the University, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, for being a promise keeper. The lofty promises he made to scale up the academic environment for quality teaching, research and community service cannot be overemphasised. His choice as the Chancellor by the Visitor to the university, at this critical moment, is divine.
“The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman to the
Governing Council, Prof. Akin Oyebode, a man of proven integrity, who will never compromise the standard and due process. Honestly, he deserves a special commendation. He handled the selection process with utmost transparency, and
in accordance with the provisions in the
University Law. I use the Chairman as a point of contact to thank all the conscientious and quintessential members of the Governing Council for quality policy thrust to reposition the university since they have been on board”.
Addressing his predecessor who happened to the 8th substantive Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edward Olorunsola Olanipekun, whose tenure gloriously ended on Monday 19th August 2024, the new VC hinted that Prof. Olanipekun deserves an applause for a memorable, but challenging 5-years tenure.
“No doubt, he finished well and very strong. He did everything possible and within the
Law to build on the legacies of all the past Vice-Chancellors which include; Late Prof. (Engr) lfedayo O. Oladap, Late Prof. Peter. O. Bodunrin, Prof. Akin Oyebode, Prof. Israel O. Orubuloye, Prof. Dipo Kolawole, Prof. Patrick Aina and Prof. Samuel O. Bandele, to ensure the realisation of the dreams of the founding fathers to establish the university in March, 1982”.
He said Prof. Edward Olanipekun was ably supported and assisted by members of the management team as well as the Senate, academic and non-teaching staff to achieve so much in office.
“This is an attestation to the fact that this university is blessed with quality and dedicated human resources; who are willing to boost the supply of the much needed high level man-power to support the development initiatives of the government of Ekiti State”.
According to him, the event is another fantastic development for institution and for Ekiti State at large. “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, history is being made today that, as the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor, I am the first alumnus of the university to be appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the university. This is a further attestation to the fact that EKSU’s products including the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and many members of the House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Rt Honourable Adeoye Aribasoye, as well as members of the State Executive Council have been thoroughly baked and shaped
medium to acknowledge and appreciate the
enviable roles played by the Alumni Association under the leadership of Engr Dipo Bamisaye, in recent t times.
“They facilitated the construction of a 2km road and medical students hostel through the distinguished Senator Michael Opeyemi
Bamidele. The Alumni i A Association shall continue to be accorded a place of recognition and be used as a rallying point to make this university an enviable centre of academic excellence. I hereby charge all the alumni at home and in diaspora, to please come to our Macedonia and help.
He said further that, “I wholeheartedly appreciate our Kabiyesis for the enormous supports they have always been given to the university. They have ensured peaceful co-existence among staff and students of the university and the entire residents of the State. I enjoin our Kabiyesis to continue to Support the premier university in Ekiti State in its quest to fulfil its mandate.
“My experience as part of the university Management for about two years have exposed me to the various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the system. This understanding will enable me to build on the legacies that have been laid and also prepare me for improved performance in specific areas.
Prof. Ayodele who pledged his readiness to do whatever in his capacity maintained that, “My vision for the university, which is in tandem with its overall vision is “to lead a university that will provide high and globally accepted quality university education geared towards producing globally relevant graduates”. My mission for the university, in line with the overall mission is: “To effectively harness all resources towards the production of quality graduates, Who will be useful to themselves and the society”. This is expected to be actualised through the “Six-Point Rejuvenation Strategies” for building a 21st century EKSU as stated hereunder:
“Deepening teaching, research, creativity and innovation with a view to making the university an enviable centre of academic excellence. The global visibility of a university depends largely on its creativity and innovative initiatives and capacities. We shall therefore, among other things:
revamp and rebrand existing conventional programmes to be in line with 21st century practice and to ensure their global relevance and marketability; mount globally relevant academic programmes to solve
problems; local and global”, he concluded.
Ayodele, a Professor of Education Management, is until the appointment, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University.
He takes over from Prof, Edward Olanipekun, whose tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University ends on August 19, 2024.
Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele was born in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State on August 13, 1963. He attended Annunciation School, Ikere-Ekiti from 1974-1979. He later proceeded to the Ondo State College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti for the Nigeria Certificate in Education between 1982 and 1985.
He obtained a First Class Bachelor of Education (B.ed) degree in Economics from the Ondo State University, (now Ekiti State University), Ado- Ekiti in 1992. He also bagged a Master’s degree in Education Management from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan in 1997; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Management from same University in 2000.
Prof. Ayodele started his lecturing career as a Graduate Assistant at Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University), Ado-Ekiti, in 1995 and rose through the ranks to the position of a Professor in 2012.
He had served the University in different capacities notably as Assistant Director, Affiliate Programmes, (2006-2008); Acting Head, Department of Educational Foundations and Management (2010- 2012); Dean, Faculty of Education (2018-2020); Director, Directorate of Continuing Education Programmes/Distance Learning (2020-2022); Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) 2022- date.
Earlier, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, who is the Visitor to the University, urged the new Vice Chancellor to bring his wealth of experience as an academic and a seasoned administrator to bear in the bid to further reposition the University as a world class institution of learning, even as he wishes him a successful tenure.
The Governor thanked the outgoing EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof Edward Olanipekun, for his meritorious service to the University and wishes him success in his future endeavors.