The Pioneer Registrar of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Princess Adebisi Soboyejo has stated that with appropriate leadership and mental disposition it is possible to attain good ethical standards, enhance and enthrone meritocracy and an excellent work environment, in order to restore the institution’s lost glory.
Princess Soboyejo stated this while delivering the 2018 Registry Lecture of FUNAAB themed, “Global Best Practices in Corporate Governance”, where she advocated that meritocracy must be promoted and reflected in the recruitment procedure and other administrative dealings of the University.
Stating that, “An institution is as good as its recruitment procedure”. Princess Soboyejo buttressed that if the recruitment philosophy in an institution places a high premium on merit and excellence, such is reflected in the methods of hiring and the subsequent staff output/productivity alongside the disciplinary tone prevalent in the institution.
According to her, “A good tree can never yield bad fruits; neither can an opaque system that enthrones nepotism and cronyism boast of transparency in its methods.”
“Rather, such a system tends to tremble and crash at the least assault of a whirlwind represented by a new trend of militant Trade Unionism in our higher institutions in contemporary history,” she added.
Princess Soboyejo charged the Registry staff to make discipline their watchword and avoid getting compromised by asking for undue favour from superior officers, peers and subordinates.
They were also advised to improve their communication skills, oral and writing skills, as well as develop good listening skills. She charged them to master their subject matter up to the minutest details.
She tasked the Registry staff to be polite, use professional language in relating with people and read the university’s regulations, guidelines and procedures as they are road-maps at work.
On the survival and thriving of the university among other competitors, the trailblazer said “the University has to ensure that technology, skills and systems used in its walls are adequate to run the institution, and are constantly reviewed so that programmes remain competitive.”
She advocated for the use of the latest and state-of-the-art technology and skills, which according to her will help in monitoring key risk areas and key performance indicators.
Appreciating the Guest Speaker, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole Salako described Princess Soboyejo as an astute and seasoned Administrator whom in her Lecture has touched many aspects of organization comparing the University system with the Local Governments and International Institutes where she had worked at one time or the other.
Professor Salako said the University is building a Registry where people are conforming to changes in the world charging all members of staff of the university to key into the trend.
The Vice-Chancellor also thanked the Registrar, Dr. Adebola Adekola, whom he described as a driving force in the registry with sound knowledge of technology.
The 2018 Registry Lecture was chaired by the immediate past Registrar, Mr. Matthew Ayoola.