What You Need To Know About Federal University Oye- Ekiti

Professor Chinedu Nebo, the first Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, was recently named Minister of Power by Nigeria’s President, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR. As a result, Professor Isaac Uzoma Asuzu was named FUOYE’s Vice-Chancellor in his place.

On Wednesday, February 27th, 2013, the new Vice Chancellor arrived at FUOYE. As a respectful citizen with a burning desire to get a firsthand evaluation of the task at hand, he paid courtesy visits to the University campuses as well as the traditional rulers of the host communities of Oye and Ikole.

The voyage began at 10 a.m., with the first stop being the Oloye’s Palace, which is located within Oye town. The Ag. Registrar, Mr. Daniel Adeyemo, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Chris Bolu, the University Librarian, Mr. Michael Afolabi, the Director, Information and Protocol, Dr. Ojiaku Kalu, and the head of Personnel, Mr Ayodele Fatuuase, were among the Vice Chancellor’s entourage. Mrs Chiwe Asuzu, the VC’s lovely wife, accompanied him on the visit, of course.

On arrival at the Oloye’s Palace, the visitors were greeted by a band of joyous palace drummers, as well as the Oba in Council, which was led by none other than the Oloye himself, Oba Sir Michael Oluwole Ademolaju, OON. The wife of the then Kabiyesi, a few high chiefs, executive members of the Oye Progressive Union, the Priest in Charge of the Oye Catholic Church, Rev. Assumpta Ajayi, as well as ladies and other opinion leaders of the town, were also in attendance.

The Vice-Chancellor and his entourage were greeted by the Ag. Registrar, while the Oloye-in-Council was introduced by Chief Agbaje Sunday, past President of the Oye Progressive Union (OPU). The OPU leader lauded the outgoing VC in glowing terms during his welcome statement. He praised the former VC as an honest and hardworking administrator and wished him well in his new role as Minister of Power. In welcoming the new VC, he urged him to continue on the solid foundation left by his predecessor, Prof. Nebo, and to consult with the Royalty on a frequent basis.

He further warned the VC to never enter into any agreement with anyone or any group claiming to represent the community on any topic without first consulting the Oba and receiving his unequivocal assent. He and the University were assured of the community’s sustained support.

Prof. Asuzu said that his early contact to the palace was motivated by his respect for the historic institution as well as the need to develop a solid landlord-tenant relationship. He stated that he would need the Oba’s and his Council’s blessing to make his assignment at the university a success, and he vowed to visit and speak with the Oba on a frequent basis as needed.

He did, however, outline the University’s main business, which is to promote academics, and stated that education is the instrument that brings progress to any community, while also stating that there is a lot of work to be done at the University, which invariably necessitates the Oba’s and the community’s support. His ambition, he said, was to see FUOYE rise to the top among Nigerian universities in a short period of time.

When meeting his visitors, His Royal Highness admitted that he believes Prof Asuzu has arrived and is ready to work. He said he came to this conclusion because the VC was having an affair with his wife and didn’t want anything to take away from his attention on building the fledgling university. He lobbied for the Entrepreneurship Training Scheme started by the outgoing VC to be confirmed, and he informed his guests that Oye-Ekiti is the largest producer of plantain and banana, which he believed would help the university’s Agriculture Department.

The Oloye warned university personnel and students to have their IDs on them at all times for security concerns and promised that the community will plan a dignified send-off for Prof. Nebo, as well as a formal welcome for the new VC.

The key to Oye town would be officially handed over to the VC at the intended celebration, according to the Royal father. He stated that the doors of his Palace were open to members of the University administration. The ceremony was concluded with a closing prayer for the University’s CV and staff.

On the same day, the team left for the Place of Elekole of Ikole where the Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers of the University were received by all the traditional rulers in the Ikole Local Government Area. The visit happened to fall on the same day as the Ikole Local Government Council of Obas’ official monthly meeting.

The Elekole of Ikole, Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku, said in his welcoming address that he and his community extend their warmest greetings to the Vice-Chancellor and that the guests are well accepted. He claimed that the Ikole people valued peace and despised cheating. Prof. Chinedu Nebo, he claimed, fulfilled his job with his sixth sense by bringing the two host communities together without animosity. He noticed the new top manas paying him a quick visit, assuring him of the community’s cooperation in particular.

The royal father prayed for the vice chancellor’s health as well as the ability to accomplish much in order to raise the university’s status. Finally, Oba Adesiku advised landlords and taxi drivers in his domain to help the institution flourish by being reasonable in their rent and service costs to university personnel, students, and other visitors as a demonstration of his commitment to the peaceful coexistence of Town and Gown.

The VC responded that making the courtesy call to inform the Kabiyesi that he had arrived in his realm was necessary. He stated that his goal as vice-chancellor was to prepare students to be competitive and marketable in any setting. As a result, he sought the Elekole In-support Council’s for the university’s achievement, as well as ongoing peace as a remedy for progress.

Delegations from the Oha-na-Eze Ndi Igbo and the Hausa Community in the Ikole Kingdom arrived at the Palace to welcome the new administrator and his team. The Vice Chancellor and his crew were afterward given a tour of the palace by the Kabiyesi. The tour came to an end at the VC’s private office, where he signed the visitor’s book. To commemorate the visit, group photos were taken.

The delegation then traveled to the University’s Ikole Campus, where it was met by Professor Adeolu Aganga, the Head of Campus. Prof. Isaac Asuzu was taken on a tour of the university, where he examined numerous buildings, offices, and laboratories. Some observations were made, and staff opinions were solicited, while specific directions were issued in some cases.

The ICT center at the Ikole Campus, a state-of-the-art e-Centre, was established as an integral part of the main ICT centre, with its own premises now known as the Ikechukwu Iheanacho ICT center, named after Arc. Iyke Ihenaacho, FUOYE’s pioneer ICT Director, who died in active service at the age of 41. It is one of the best ICT centers in Nigerian universities, with cutting-edge technology.

Demand and challenges were discussed and noted at the Health Centre. The shortage of portable water and mosquito nets at their windows are two of the obstacles they face. The VC highlighted the issue of student security at the Hostels because he was concerned about the proximity of the jungle to buildings that lacked perimeter fencing. Following that, the group returned to the main campus for a tour of the faculties and facilities.