From Kehinde Adewole
An erudite Professor of Theatre Arts and distinguished assessor on the Accreditation team of the National Universities Commission (NUC), assigned as team leader to accredit the Theatre and Media Arts Department of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Saint Gbilekaa, has described the institution as the fastest growing young federal University in Nigeria.
Professor Gbilekaa gave the description about FUOYE on grounds of what he explained as an impressive improvement in infrastructural projects currently dotting the vast landscape of the Ivory Tower.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media Matters to FUOYE Vice-Chancellor, Wole Balogun, made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, disclosed that Prof. Gbilekaa, made the declaration while addressing FUOYE Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina during a brief meeting the NUC accreditors held with the VC before they embark on their assignment in the University.
The NUC accreditation team were in FUOYE to accredit three academic programmes offered by the varsity which are Theatre and Media Arts, Sociology and Demography and Social Statistics.
While Prof. Gbilekaa led the team to assess FUOYE’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Professors Uche Isiugo-Abanihe and Gyong John Emmanuel are leading the teams assessing Demography/ Social Statistics and Sociology respectively.
In the same vein, a renown Professor of English from the premier University of Ibadan, Prof. Remi Oriaku led the team to assess FUOYE’s Department of English and Literary Studies.
Speaking on his impression about infrastructural development in FUOYE, Prof. Gbilekaa said: “Having visited your campus before and seen the little begining in infrastructural projects you had then, today, I am impressed with the improvement in infrastructural projects in FUOYE, and going by the words of the Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs, this may be the fastest growing young University in Nigeria. I want to also assure you that we will be fair in what we have come to do.”
Assuring that the NUC accreditation team would be fair in their assessment ad eventual jugdement, Prof. Oriaku, said: “We have come with an open mind as it were to assess what is on ground and the adequacy of the existing facilities in FUOYE to the programmes in English and Literary Studies. We have seen your impressive structures and we want to see those other things that will complement the structures.”
Speaking in the same stream of thought, Prof. Uche said: “I have come with my colleagues to assess your facilities and programmes. Let me join them to congratulate you on the progress you have made so far in terms of infrastructural projects’ development and growth. We come as friends, not as oppressors, to commend you if possible and to help you when you need help on the need for improvement on the programmes you are having. Having seen what you have on paper yesterday on arrival, I am satisfied. Also, l must say that coming to this place is like seeing a new world. In spite of the crisis earlier associated with siting this campus, I want to commend you for this progress so far.”
Joining other erudite professors to encourage the young University, Prof. Gyong said: “I join my colleagues to congratulate you all on your achievement. Most times people don’t like medical excercises but it is neccesary. We are here for academic medical checkup and this is good for the system. It is all with a view to get things better done.”
Responding on behalf of the Management, FUOYE’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Prof. Olusola Omotola, who represented the VC at the meeting, urged the accreditors to first consider that FUOYE is a young University which is equally affected by the paucity of funds being made available to federal universities. He added that in spite of the challenges of funding, the institution has done its best to fulfill her mandate to provide conducive teaching and learning environment and adequate facilities.
His words: “We express the willingness of our Unuversity to cooperate with you to accomplish all your tasks. No system is perfect and given the challenges of funding facing all federal educational institutions in the country, we are bound to have our little shortcomings. But we have given our best in delivering our mandate. We will continue to live up to expectations. This varsity has been making frantic efforts to live up to expectations. I am sure when you go round, you won’t be disappointed. There may be challenges here and there, we will welcome all your comments on improvement.
Just like Prof. Gbilekaa has said,
this is a young university, barely 10 years old. We are also in a period of transition as the current VC isn’t yet up to two months old in the office. We are still trying hard to get used to those challenges. We have made adequate preparations but whatever challenges you see, we shall find a way to get around them. I wish you success in all your endeavours.
” We also appreciate the support and presence of our brother, the pride of FUOYE, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, who is the Commissioner for the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism in Ekiti State. We also appreciate the yeoman job of the acting director of our academic planning unit, Dr. Rev sis. Asogwa Chika. We also appreciate the entire team from FUOYE who have been part of this gathering.
A reception with the VC is already scheduled in the evening. Thank you.”
