The Senate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has, during a sitting convened recently, reviewed the current situation in the University and passed a vote of confidence on the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole. It also noted that it was satisfied and supported all measures taken by the Governing Council and the University Management, to ensure peace, security and unfettered academic activities in the University.
According to the Registrar and Secretary to Senate, Mr. Mathew Ayoola, the Senate stated that the allegations levelled against some officers of the University, were now before a court of competent jurisdiction and hence, reserved comment. It, however, noted that all accused persons are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise by the court.
The Senate, therefore, re-affirmed its confidence in the ability of the Vice-Chancellor to provide academic and administrative leadership during the remaining part of his tenure, adding that the process for the selection of a new Vice-Chancellor for the University, has begun in accordance with the law.
Senate expressed deep concern over the emerging trend in Nigerian universities, where some persons or group of persons in the guise of unionism, acting alone or in concert with internal and external influences, seek to control the levers of administration and undermine the peace and harmony in the system, while it also re-affirmed its resolve to uphold the laws of the University and ensure discipline and good governance at all times.
Meanwhile, the Governing Council of the University in furtherance of its commitment to manpower and capacity development, has approved the elevation of 23 Readers as Professors, while 285 other academic and non-teaching staff have also been promoted. According to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, the promotion exercise was a call to greater responsibilities, noting that the gesture was in recognition of the dedication and contribution of the affected staff to duty, in line with the extant provisions of the University. Professor Oyewole, who is also the President, Association of African Universities (AAU), expressed optimism that the exercise would serve as a source of motivation to the affected staff. The Vice-Chancellor further congratulated the beneficiaries, while imploring them to be prepared for higher service.
In another development, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, in company of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Oluyemisi Eromosele and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Professor Ololade Enikuomehin, embarked on a spot-check of examination centres in the University, to ascertain the conduct of the students and the invigilators in the ongoing examinations.
Speaking on his assessment, the Vice-Chancellor said, they (officials involved in the conduct of the examinations), were “very organised and the condition is excellent”. Centres visited include the Professor Mahmood Yakubu Lecture Theatre; 500-Seater Computer Laboratory and Julius Amioba Okojie (JAO) Lecture Theatres; College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT) Auditorium, as well as the College of Engineering (COLENG) Auditorium, among others.