FUNAAB : THE SALAKO PHENOMENON – WALKING THE TALK AND TALKING THE WALK

It is a fundamental truth that the foundation of a thing is crucial. There is no gainsaying in the fact that the founding fathers of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta ( FUNAAB) provided a good foundation for the University. Among the Universities established the same time, FUNAAB stands tall with galaxies of stars. The standard was set making it easier to build and consolidate. Indeed, in consonant with the anthem of the University, it has kept labouring and toiling onward and has never failed. It has remained the most fabulous University in Nigeria with its outstanding aesthetics and splendour to complement the academic excellence.

The mantle of the leadership of the University fell on Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako on November 1, 2017 and like an athlete who is hungry for a gold, he had hit the ground running. Armed with native intelligence, experience as two term Deputy Vice- Chancellor, adminstrative astuteness and intellectual sagacity, it was not difficult for the Professor of Soil Physics to settle down to drive his multifaceted agenda. His core values of ensuring equity and fair play with all stakeholders certainly served as a necessary ingredient for his modest achievements as the sixth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Despite the myriad of challenges particularly COVID 19 outbreak that reduced the targets of many individuals, organisations and nations, it can be safely concluded that the FUNAAB helmsman has not done badly.

Yes, it is possible that he made some mistakes. He is not a robot, he is a man with a natural tendency to make mistakes. It is a well known fact that perfection is the exclusive preserve of the Almighty God. Therefore, it is understandable if some pundits who have never made mistakes in their lives see from another prism and yearn from unpopular vocal.

ValidViewNetwork opines that the out-going Vice-Chancellor is already set on another goal, putting the success stories as VC in his historical luggage and looking at a greater future ahead.

The torrential encomiums which are being showered on him lay credence to an incontrovertible fact that the VC had successfully delivered his mandate to the vast majority of the stakeholders. Surprisingly, the encomiums are not from mean men or “I never chop” who could be induced to eulogise for loaves of bread. In tandem with the scriptural saying that ” Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or more witnesses, the Salako phenomenon appears to be visible to the blind and audible to the deaf. It reverberates the length and breadth of Ogun State, setting a standard.

The relationship between the town and the gown has never been this solidified. This is a demonstration of love and appreciation as the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor gloriously comes to an end by October 31, 2022.

It is uncommon to have The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba (Dr) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR , the Agura of Gbagura, Oba Sabur Babajide Bakre and other Obas leave their stools and comfort zones to shower encomiums on a Vice-Chancellor. Not many Governors had benefited from that kind of gesture. These, the Obas did for the outgoing Vice – Chancellor, Prof. Kolawole Salako in appreciation of his remarkable achievements during his tenure as the sixth substantive Vice -Chancellor of the University. It could not have been better!

The Alake who sees and handles the University as his darling baby has never hidden his joy for the restoration of the good name of the University. This , he reaffirmed during the commissioning of some projects within the University recently. The Paramount Ruler had congratulated the outgoing Vice – Chancellor and stated expressly that he is proud of his achievements.

According to the Agura, the entire people of Gbagura Land are proud of Prof. Kolawole Salako.

In his words : ” Whatever you have touched, you have completed them and you have made sure that it is not only the building but the equipments and facilities are always there and you have not done any commissioning partially”

“Agura is proud of you, Alake is proud of you, the whole of Egbaland is proud of you and God has made you Alaseyori (an achiever).”

ValidViewNetwork reports that the Midas touch of Prof. Salako has also been commended by some of the heroes of the University.

According to Prof. Segun Lagoke, former Deputy Vice – Chancellor Development of the University, the Oil Palm Processing Factory which started as a small thing has become something bigger.

Prof. S.T.O. Lagoke commissioning a Project

On his own, Prof. Musa Olomu while commissioning the x-ray and Maternity Centre commended the Vice Chancellor for his excellent performance, stating that the project is one of a kind and described Prof. Kolawole Salako as a performing Vice – Chancellor.

According to him : “The Vice – Chancellor has been quite excellent, he is really a performing Vice – Chancellor and I think that if we have two to three of this in our country, things would have been different.”

ValidViewNetwork asserts that the Out -going Vice-Chancellor has never arrogated any of the success stories, commendations and encomiums to himself. He has consistently thanked God and members of the University community for the achievements.

According to Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako, he has remained unperturbed, unmoved and never under pressure even under turbulent situations. In his words: “I applied for the job and since I applied with good understanding of what it entails, I should not complain.”

He relishes in the green colour which adorn the projects of his Administration. According to him, the green colour symbolizes agriculture, productivity, commitment, and nourishment.

The Senate Building of the University is a major architectural masterpiece of the University, ValidViewNetwork reports.

The extension of the Senate Building with top-notch technological installations by the Administration of Prof. Salako will definitely enhance administrative activities and reposition the University.

His determination towards ensuring that the students live a balanced life while on campus and discover their talents propelled him to complete the Sports Grandstand and give maximum support to sports development in the University.

According to the Director of the Directorate of Sports, Dr. Samuel olabanji, : ” The Vice-Chancellor has never denied us of any outing.”

Prof. Olusegun Osinowo, one of the heroes of the University has also eulogised Prof. Salako for promoting sports and youth development, academic excellence, and economic prosperity in the institution, stating that he has also restored peace back to the university system.

To Prof. Salako, maintaining a close yet open relationship with all Unions on campus is one of the things that has really helped him. ” Our students are considered as critical stakeholders in the project and therefore I keep in touch with them regularly to know their needs at every point in time.”

ValidViewNetwork reports that if the drive and commitment to complete inherited projects are embraced by leaders in the country just as displayed by the out-going Vice- Chancellor, Nigeria would be a better place.

The Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has also lend his voice to the numerous commendations and urged other institutions and communities to emulate the FUNAAB Vision with capacity to enhance national development.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

According to the Former President : “If each institution and each community is doing this kind of projects, the nation will develop a lot faster”. This, the former number one citizen stated in respect of the dam constructed by the University to drive its vision of teaching, research and extension services.”

“One of the nations developmental goals is the provision of clean water and that is what this project will achieve.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo unambiguously affirmed., “You have managed FUNAAB Successfully”.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the focus and determination of the Prof Salako led Administration to be intentional in being fair to all without compromising standards did not go unnoticed by the Unions

In an uncommon style, the National Headquarters of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) confirmed that the commendations are resultant effects of a deliberate and intentional service towards humanity and not a ruse. SSANU honoured the outgoing Vice- Chancellor, Prof, Felix Kolawole Salako with Award of Appreciation for outstanding performance and exemplary robust relationship with the Union without compromising standard.

The National President of SSANU, Com. Ibrahim Haruna presented the Award to Prof. Kolawole Salako.
According to Com.Haruna : “This is SSANU’s own way of appreciating an icon.This is not a bribe but a well deserved appreciation for a man with outstanding achievements in office and more importantly, with exemplary cordial relationship with our Union without compromising standard”

Comrade Ibrahim Haruna.

He added, “If Prof.Salako has not done well we would have said it.Whatever you sow you will reap and the Vice- Chancellor is reaping the fruits of the good work he sowed”.

He emphasized the impact of the Vice -Chancellor on SSANU to include almost 100 percent promotion for all members of staff in the last four years; conversion and re-designation of staff members to various professional cadres and conversion of 35 others to academic staff.

ValidViewNetwork reports that these actions put smiles on the faces of many staff of the University with a propensity to improve efficiency and service delivery.

According to Comrade Haruna, others are approval of promotion of staff on CONTISS 13 to CONTISS 14; full payment of gross salaries of the Teachers of the University Staff School during their period of challenges and consistent support and participation of the Vice- Chancellor in the monthly SSANU Health Walk programme, among several others.

ValidViewNetwork recalls that FUNAAB Staff School is one of the few schools that enjoyed a leverage during the challenges that bedeviled Staff Schools in Nigeria.

The SSANU National Vice President (Southwest), Com.(Dr.) Abdulsobbur Salaam equally asserted that Prof Salako stood tall among his predecessors that performed exceptionally in office, warning that the Union won’t hesitate to give cold treatment to any of his successors whose record is otherwise.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the initiative by Unions to celebrate leaders who do well and condemn those who do otherwise is commendable rather than consistently adopting Crab Technology and Pull Him Down Syndrome.

Both the Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities and his counterpart in the National Association of Academic Technologists, Comrades Olurotimi Fasunwon and Joseph Olurinde respectively were unanimous in eulogising the Vice-Chancellor. According to Comrade Fasunwon, : Prof Felix Kolawole Salako is a “talk and do” Vice – Chancellor.

“The Vice-Chancellor does not listen to a side but listens to all sides to take a decision. He is fair, just and frank. He ensured harmonious working relationship throughout. Things that the Union would have lobbied intensely to get were delivered without stress. I have visited Universities across the country and is yet to see a VC that recorded the developmental strides recorded by Prof. Salako. They were not just buildings but complete projects”

In his own remarks, Comrade Olurinde asserted : ” Prof. Salako is a goal getter , an achiever and the rejected stone which has become the cornerstone. Once he believes in something, he leaves no stone unturned to get it otherwise FUNAAB will not have a dam today. That dam can be used to generate electricity. Do you think it is a child’s play?”

ValidViewNetwork reports that the Out-going Vice-Chancellor appears to also have thumbs up from the students from the University and other coordinating bodies.

The contributions of the Outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako is beyond the four walls of the University. He is a round academics who is equally socially savvy expanding the frontiers of corporate social responsibilities. Little wonder, he was recently awarded as an Ambassador of Peace by Rotary Club of Nigeria for the peace and tranquility of FUNAAB during his tenure as the Vice- Chancellor.

Apparently convinced that he has done well and delivered on his agenda, Prof. Kolawole Salako, a proud Ibadan man, recently decided to “talk the walk” having been fulfilled in walking the talking. The University played host to journalists who visited the projects and were unanimous in their conclusion that he was prepared for the office.

ValidViewNetwork reports that while the infrastructural development appears visible , there are other numerous intangible values that the Administration has added to the University one of which is the emergence of the University as the only specialised University in Nigeria that is conspicuous on World Academic Ranking alongside the Premier University, University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile -Ife.

It is not far from the truth that the den had prepared the lion for the journey ahead and no matter the situation of the lion, it will never eat grass. This appears to explain the complementing postures of the out-going Vice-Chancellor, a graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka.. He is courageous yet humane, outspoken yet strategic, officious yet compassionate and, exalted yet lowly in heart.

As the Vice- Chancellor bows out meritoriously on October 31, 2022, may the beacons of the forefathers of the University continue to attract good tidings to the University and propel it to greater heights till it attains a World Class Status. May FUNAAB continue to soar higher.

ValidViewNetwork (2022)