… Thanks ALL
UNAAB’s Chairman of Senate and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun speaking at the Luncheon while DVC, Academic, Prof. Chryss Onwuka (1st Left), the Ag. Registrar, Mr. Adeleke Adeboye (1st Right), DVC, Development, Prof. Segun Lagoke (2nd Right) and the wife of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs) Elizabeth Balogun listen.
Stewardship and accolades for a job well done, as well as outpouring of mutual oneness and joy took the centre stage on Tuesday as the University Senate ended the 2010/2011 Academic Session with a befitting Luncheon held at Sweet Sensation Hall, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun who arrived the Luncheon in company of his wife, Prof. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Balogun well ahead of time, set the tone for symbiotic synergy and cordiality that pervaded the atmosphere.
On his arrival, Prof. Balogun shunned protocols and shed the toga of officialdom, moving from one side of the Hall to another, exchanging banters with members of Senate.
Also were members of Senate, most of who came with their spouses; they exchanged pleasantries, introduced their spouses to one another with excitement boldly written on their faces.
However, emotions heightened and it was almost betrayed by some of the Senate members when the Vice-Chancellor almost at the opening of his speech declared, “Consider this as a valedictory speech for this particular gathering”.
He stressed, “this is because I will never have the opportunity to address this arm of the University again. The last opportunity for me to express our thanks after the end of an academic session is today. “The next one will be done by my successor. Therefore, the uniqueness of today should dawn on me and you”.
Thanking the Senate, Prof. Balogun said, “I want to thank you for keeping me on my toes and for not making me to preside over those who knows nothing. Thank you for driving the system to where we are today”.
“In spite of all odds, you made it possible for us to regularize the academic calendar at a time when some Universities are just starting their First Semester examinations”, he added.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to all the Unions on Campus saying, “I say openly that your criticism, open attack, upper and lower cut has been very helpful in making today a reality”.
Prof. Balogun also thanked all staffers and students of the University for subjecting themselves to his drive to actualize his dream for the University.
The Luncheon peaked with a Toast to the Vice-Chancellor, Staff and Students of the University and Nigeria at large by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Chyrss Onwuka, Professor Lateef Sanni and Professor Christian Ikeobi, in that order.
Some members of Senate, who assessed the leadership of Prof Balogun, as Chairman of Senate Commended him for a job well done.
They include Prof. Toyin Arowolo, Prof. Kayode Bamgbose, Prof. Depo Adedire, Prof. Sam Oluwalana, Dr. Arigbede, Prof. Onwuka, Prof. Tope Popoola; Dr. Biodun Badmus and Prof. Adetokunbo Taiwo.