R-L: Out-going VC, Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun; FUNAABSU President, Com. Bamigbade Abdulkareem; Dean, COLPLANT, Prof. Goke Bodunde; In-coming VC, Prof. Olusola Oyewole; DVC (D), Prof. Felix Salako and the Dean, Student Affairs, Prof. Sam Oluwalana at the Send-forth Party organised by the Student Union.
The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, has described the past and present executives of the University’s Student Union as responsive and responsible future leaders.
Professor Balogun made this assertion at the Send-forth Party, organized by the Student Union, in his honour.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the students for their understanding and co-operation which he noted had promoted peace in the community and given Management ample time to concentrate on more productive issues.
He added that the University had been able to regularize its academic calendar, as a result of the cordial relationship among Management, staff and students.
Professor Balogun encouraged the students to extend same co-operation to the in-coming Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, charging them to uphold the legacy he was leaving behind, by being peace loving and law abiding.
He admonished the students: “shun anti-social behaviours and its vices, be disciplined and do the right thing. Preserve the facilities and buildings so that whenever I am passing by, I will be encouraged to stop over, for a visit”.
While expressing his gratitude to past Presidents of the Union, for job well done while in office, Professor Balogun said they helped laid the foundation, which is being built upon by the present administration.
The Vice-Chancellor lauded the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Samuel Oluwalana, for affecting the lives of the students positively, saying that “he is a worthy and unassuming father who had impacted on so many lives through his transformational leadership”.
In his remarks, Professor Oluwalana appreciated the Professor Balogun–led administration for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Dean, Student Affairs.
He described Professor Balogun as “a unique person, a man of the 22nd Century, a wonderful and compassionate leader, a deep thinker and integrity- personified individual”.
According to him, Professor Balogun is not just a disciplinarian but a self-disciplined man, a core Welfarist and generous giver in all ramifications.
The President of the Student Union, Comrade Abdulkareem Bamigbade, in his speech eulogized the exemplary leadership qualities of Professor Balogun, as second to none, among Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.
He made it known that the outgoing Vice-Chancellor is “a man of inestimable worth, highly cherished and hope for the masses.
Thus, our decision to organize this event is not for any dubious reasons but as a means of celebrating excellence, to serve as a motivation for every public office holders and the generality of us all”, he added.
Giving his brief remarks, the Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Segun Clement, lauded the administrative acumen of Prof. Balogun and called on him not to relent in his efforts at promoting the cause of Nigerian students.
The ceremony witnessed presentation of gifts and award plaques by physically-challenged students; Intra-Campus Joint Christian Fellowship; Man ‘O War; Junior Chamber International, FUNAAB Chapter; Kegites Club and the Student Union.