The newly-appointed sixth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Felix kolawole Salako has received his instruments of office at a formal handing-over ceremony held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, assuring that he would be fair to all in office.
Professor Salako gave the assurance shortly after his predecessor, Professor Ololade Enikuomehin handed-over to him in the presence of Principal Officers and other top members of staff.
Speaking after the ceremony, the incoming Vice-Chancellor, Professor Felix Salako said that God has been with the University inspite of the recent crisis, noting that the Governing Council should be commended for mustering courage to appoint three Principal Officers in a flawless process within same period.
Professor Salako who is a Soil Physicist, said that his approach to administration would revolve around his core values which are justice and fairplay, adding that the productivity of staff would be of paramount interest to him. Professor Salako who celebrated his assumption of duty as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University on November 1, 2017, stated that his administration would reward diligence and efficiency, stressing that all these could be achievable in the atmosphere of peace on campus.
Professor Salako who was the pioneer Director of the Centre for Community-Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS), stated that his administration would not lower the guard on the University’s rules and regulations in relations to staff and students, saying that his administration would be compassionate when the need arose. He sought the cooperation of the University Community members in making his administration a success, adding however that people should not deliberately violate the rules and regulations of the University.
Reiterating his watchword which says, “Excellence cannot be compromised”, the in-coming Vice-Chancellor who is also the Southwestern Nigeria Coordinator of African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI), noted that if excellence would not be compromised, the stakeholders must also join hands to provide an excellent administration.
His words: “I have the responsibility of the Vice-Chancellor to protect the interest of the University. I have the responsibility to ensure that staff are comfortable. That staff have what is due to them. That students have what is due to them”. He stressed further that he has the responsibility to ensure that staff, students and other University community members work within the ambit of the University’s rules and regulations, while striving not to violate the rights of other people.
Speaking at the event, the outgoing Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ololade Enikuomehin, stated that it was a great opportunity in the annals of the University to be handing over to a more competent hand, adding that it was a formal handover of the authority of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
He said he had been privileged to be Acting Vice-Chancellor from May 24 to October 31, 2017, noting that the Governing Council had painstakingly gone through a selection process which had been widely adjudged the best in the history of the University.
His words: “What we are handing over today is not just the physical authority of the headship of this University, we are also handing over the spiritual authority over this University with the attendant benefit and the attendant blessings of the Almighty God.
Commenting on the voluminous handing over note alongside the insignia of authority which spans a period of five years and five months, he said it depicted the quality and value, the University represented as well as what would take the University further.
Present at the ceremony were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Oluyemisi Eromosele; Registrar, Dr. Bola Adekola; Bursar, Mr. Chukwunwike Ezekpeazu; the University Librarian, Dr. Mulikat Salaam and the Deputy Registrar II, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Dawodu.