The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole has stated that strong student unionism would engender great leaders for the nation.
Professor Oyewole made this observation at a Luncheon organised in honour of Student leaders, held at the International Scholars’ and Resource Centre, FUNAAB.
The VC, Prof. Olusola Oyewole (Arrowed) with Principal Officers, Deans and Directors of the University in a group photograph with the Student Leaders immediately after the Luncheon.
He stated that the successful completion of an Academic Session did not depend only on members of the Academic and Non-Teaching staff, but also on the students.
According to him, “I want the students of this University to be the leaders of this great nation in the next few years”.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, debunked the allegation that the Students’ Union activities had been proscribed in the University, saying that Management had not taken such decision as elections would hold tentatively, three weeks into the new session.
He added that the Management is open for consultation whenever the Union needed assistance in developing their Vision and Mission Statements.
Professor Oyewole, however, described the existing relationship between Management and the Union as cordial, saying they are both partners in progress.
He charged the student leaders to encourage other students to be registered with the University’s Health Centre, noting that a large proportion of students were yet to register with the Centre.
On the need to refrain from writing anonymous letters, the Vice-Chancellor encouraged students to always include their names in the letters they address to the Management, in order to get the desired attention.
“The reason for writing is not to pull anyone down but to make life better for people coming after you”, he stated.
According to him, “this is the new spirit of students’ unionism I want you to imbibe. Let’s do it for the good of our society and for the betterment of this University”.
In his response, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Students’ Union (FUNAABSU), President, Comrade Bamgbade Abdulkareem, commended Management for its kind gesture to the students.
Earlier, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor S.O Onifade said the University would not distance itself from the students because they are major stakeholders in the University.