Prominent Egba High-Chiefs have expressed gratitude and satisfaction with the global ratings of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and in particular, it’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun.
The High-Chiefs were full of accolades for the University for doing Egba Kingdom proud with the institution’s emergence as the second Best University in Nigeria and 35th in Africa, in the latest World Webometrics Ranking of Universities.
Speaking in separate telephone chats with FUNAAB Bulletin, the High-Chiefs described the feat as a justification for the citing of the University in Egbaland and its qualification to assume a conventional status.
Besides, they expressed joy that the feat came at a time when a “true son of the soil”, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun is the Vice-Chancellor of the University.
The High Chiefs, who spoke with our reporters are: the Elebute of Egbaland, Chief Nelson Oyesiku; the Asiwaju of Egbaland, Chief Maxwell Olawale Ayinde, Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Asipa of Owu, Chief Akin Obimakinde.
According to Chief Oyesiku, “Your (FUNAAB) success in Web Ranking is not only delightful, it is awesome and most welcoming. It is an eloquent testimony of the genuine efforts and high level commitment of your Vice-Chancellor to excellence in the last four and half years or so.
“They have worked selflessly and tirelessly to lift FUNAAB this high. We can all see the reason why FUNAAB is in Egbaland. The emphasis is that it gives us joy and we are hoping that whoever succeeds Professor Balogun will continue the good works”, he added.
Also reacting, the Asiwaju of Egbland, Chief Ayinla said, “Things don’t just happen except you make them happen. Your amiable Vice-Chancellor and his able lieutenants have been making good things happen in the last five years due to his purposeful leadership.
“Your enviable ranking, which is coming at the twilight of Prof. Balogun’s administration, is as a result of good vision, hardwork and commitment to the dream of the University’s Founding Fathers.
“We are very proud of Professor Balogun’s impact on FUNAAB as a true son of Egbaland, we are proud of FUNAAB’s achievements as an institution in the Egba domain, especially, now that an independent assessment body has rated FUNAAB so high”, he added.
Speaking in the same vein, the Asipa of Owu, Chief Obimakinde said, “The news actually made my day. May we continue to hear such. It’s beautiful news that our University beat all those big Universities to emerge second. It is a plus to your Vice-Chancellor, his team and all of us”.