Number ”7” reverberates as FUNAAB’S 7th substantive VC steps in, promises a season of fullness

History was made once again on April 3, 2023 at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), with the investiture of Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde FGSN, FIHS as the Seventh Substantive Vice-Chancellor.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Alhaji Umar Ahmed CNA (right), ably supported by the immediate Past Vice-Chancellor, Prof Felix Kolawole Salako FSSSN, FASN (left) and the Registrar and Secretary to Council,Dr.’Bola Adekola(extreme right) performing the investiture of Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde as the 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB.

Speaking at the memorable event, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Alhaji Umar Ahmed CNA charged the new Vice-Chancellor to administer the University with transparency, accountability, fairness and equity in dealing with members of the University Community.

Alhaji Ahmed admonished the new Vice- Chancellor to make management of finances, protection of the University image and promotion of peace and unity among staff and students his top priority while in the saddle.

Alhaji Ahmed affirmed that the processes required by law culminating in the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor were strictly adhered to.

He appreciated University Senate, Congregation, staff and students and stakeholders at large for their cooperation and support from the beginning of the process to the successful completion, without any form of rancour and acrimony.

The Pro-Chancellor who chairs the Seventh Governing Council, however, paid glowing tributes to the Royal Fathers at the occasion who were led by the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV (CFR), for their fatherly guidance in advancing the development of the University.

Other highly reverred Royal Fathers included the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, Karunwi III,Oranmiyan, Agura of Gbagura, Oba Saburee Babajide Bakre; Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola and the Olu of Osiele, Oba Olufemi Olowoyo.

Alhaji Ahmed commended the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Felix Kolawole Salako FSSSN,FASN for his excellent performance in improving physical and academic infrastructures of the University during his 5-year tenure.

Alhaji Ahmed called on members of the Governing Council, Senate, Congregation, Student and Staff Unions and the entire University Community to work harmoniously with the new Vice-Chancellor to promote and develop the institution in all aspects of its operations.

The Pro-Chancellor exuded confidence stating that he hoped to see a new FUNAAB in the class of high ranking Universities, not only in Africa but globally by the end of the tenure of the current Governing Council.

In his Inauguration Address, the Seventh Substantive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde FGSN, FIHS who captivated his teeming audience with his flawless delivery of a catchy, concise, highly revealing and thought provoking Address with infectious carriage disclosed that having been previously appointed as the Seventh Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), delivered the 70th Inaugural Lecture of the University and pronounced by the Seventh Governing Council as the appointed Vice-Chancellor on March 7, 2023, he noted the spiritual numerology and implication of number ‘7’, which connotes perfection, fullness and completeness.

According to the brand new Vice-Chancellor, “I therefore stand before you today as the Seventh Substantive Vice-Chancellor with the mandate of the Seventh Governing Council to pilot the affairs of this noble citadel of learning for the next five years, to perfect the good job that have been done by my forebears, and also to, with the help of God Almighty, usher FUNAAB into a season of fullness”.

Reeling-out his vision of Building a 21st Century University, Professor Kehinde stated that he has set his sight towards positioning FUNAAB among the top five Universities in Nigeria and the top 100 in Africa in the next five years.

“The 21st century FUNAAB shall be one committed to creating a platform for the provision of equal access to qualitative educational opportunities for all at all levels, and one committed to the inculcation of national consciousness, values, national unity, development of appropriate skills including mental/physical/social abilities, and the competencies needed to equip individuals to live in, and contribute positively to national and global development”, he declared.

He highlighted the importance of quality research and academic excellence in building a 21st-century University, stressing that academic standards must never be compromised, and the University must create an environment where individuals can thrive and develop according to their needs and potentials.

According to him, “The 21st Century University is one which creates an environment for individuals to thrive and develop according to their needs and potentials. Our university is in dire need of positioning for the new trends in global education if we must remain relevant in the global competition in University research and innovation.”

He further stated that the focus of the 21st Century University is on equality, collaboration, communication, and community engagements, adding that FUNAAB must be reinvented along those lines.

Prof.Kehinde stressed that his vision of the 21st Century University is anchored on the carefully-crafted “FUNAAB Agenda,” which is in line with the University’s Founding Fathers and other stakeholders.

Professor Kehinde, a Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics and a Fellow of the Genetics Society of Nigeria (GSN),however, said that building a 21st Century University might appear daunting, but achievable with the support of all.

The brand new Vice-Chancellor was accompanied to his Investiture by his delectable wife, Prof.Iyabode Kehinde (whose appointment as the new Dean of College of Biosciences (COLBIOS) took effect coincidentally the same day of the investiture of his husband as Vice-Chancellor) and ‘carbon’ copy beautiful daughters.

Meanwhile, Professor Felix Kolawole Salako, the immediate past and the Sixth Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University also spiced the occasion with his valedictory speech, reeling out catalogue of achievements which impacted positively on virtually every facet of the University.

Prof.Salako who was named “Mr.Projects” by a section of Journalists in the State for initiating and completing key projects which include the University Dam and new Senate Building Extension was honoured by the Governing Council with a befitting Send Forth infused into a special Luncheon marking the Investiture of Prof.Kehinde as the new Vice- Chancellor of FUNAAB.

The Luncheon which was well attended took place immediately after the investiture of the Seventh Substantive Vice-Chancellor.

A flurry of Goodwill Messages led and delivered by the Seventh Substantive Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kehinde and the Fourth Substantive Vice-Chancellor. Prof. Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun bathed and soaked Prof.Salako profusely with avalanche of commendation for a job well done.

Union leaders, including Com.Rotimi Fasunwon popularly known as Rodo, Dr. Nancy Okorie, Vice-Chairperson, ASUU-FUNAAB and Com. Joseph Olurinde,Chairman, NAAT-FUNAAB took turns to extol the sterling leadership qualities of Prof.Salako.

It was an unprecedented roll call of who is who from top government functionaries to frontline monarchs navigating Administrators of tertiary institutions and federal government parastatals, dove-tailing to top echelons of security agencies,peaking with quite a chunk of former Principal Officers of the University, spiced by quite a number of the relations of the Vice-Chancellor,especially his in-laws(the Aderibigbes).

As a matter of fact the ambience evinced no less of the the enviable personalities and track records of Professors Kehinde and Salako under the larger super pedigree and intimidating clout of Federal University of Agriculture,Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

The sky did not look misty and cloudy rather the atmosphere was in perfect harmony with the Investiture ceremony and Luncheon, for heavens smiled at Prof.Kehinde’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor.

The ocassion also brought together old memories of the Univesity as many Past Principal Officers and staff of the University graced the program to set the tune for the next five years of the great University.

Representatives of FUNAAB Internationsional School and FUNAAB Staff school were also in attendance to draw inspirattion for the future.

Responding to the honour done on him by the Governing Council,the visibly elated Prof. Salako who danced like mind your business appreciated the Governing Council,the new Vice-Chancellor, Principal Officers for their support and cooperation towards achieving the huge infrastructural and human resources development witnessed during his tenure.