…as Nigerian youths endorse his leadership
From Olanike Olawole-Orebe
The community of Igbo people in Ekiti State have organized a special award to honour the Vice-Chancellor, (VC) Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof Abayomi Sunday Fasina, in appreciation of his sterling sterling performance in office in 100 Days.
This was just as the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ekiti State chapter, led by Comrade Eyitayo Fabunmi, have endorsed the VC’s leadership.
A statement made available to newsmen at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti by the Special Adviser on Media Matters to the VC, Wole Balogun, disclosed that the Igbo community, which has the name, Uzukoumunne FUOYE, meaning: ” Be your Brother’s Keeper’s group of FUOYE”, said it has seen the laudbale achievements of the VC and will honour him specially on May, 21 in appreciation of these giant strides.
The Uzukoumunne FUOYE, also gave Prof. Fasina a traditional chieftaincy title, which they called
Omelu Ora 1 of FUOYE, which translates in English to mean, ‘A great man that assist all, regardless of class, status, race or title”.
According to the Chairman of the group, Mr. Anasieze Godwin O, the VC is garlanded with the title because he has proven himself to be a leader whose leadership influences everyone positively.
Balogun’s statement also revealed that other members of the Igbo community’s executives who were present at the meeting included Mr Okonkwo Robbinson U, Vice Chairman, Mr Ugwu Joel , General Secretary, Dr Ugwu Ndubisi F, Assistant Secretary, Mrs Ibeyenwa Ndidi C, Financial Secretary, Mr Udenwena Chukwuneta, Treasurer, Mr Nwokeke Barnabas C
Publicity SecretaryMr Oji Lemuel O, Director of Social, Mr Odo Ferdinand C, and Provost I, and Mr Benson Kelechi C Provost Ii.
Others also included some top staff members of FUOYE, who are Prof. Syvia Uzochukwu, Dr. Chika Asogwa, the Acting Director, Academic Planning, as well as the School lawyer.
While addressing the VC at the meeting, Mr. Anasieze said: “We have come to congratulate our amiable Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti in the person of Prof A. S. Fasina on his new appointment as VC FUOYE. Also, to thank him for his rapid response to the staff’s welfare, the recent developments in terms of infrastructures and administrative management in the school irrespective of all manners of distractions in the system. And to assure him that we are totally and solidly behind his administration.
‘ That the intersessions of our ancestors will continue to guide and protect him throughout his tenure in office as VC FUOYE. through christ our Lord Amen.
We will appreciate his great leadership by awarding him specially on the ocassion of his 100 Days’ in office.”
Responding, The VC said: ” I have always love to take care of the Igbo community in FUOYE. I will still do more for the Igbo community in FUOYE. I have confidence and trust in you and I know that you can deliver.
” We have a big design on ground on landscaping of this campus.
Landscaping of this campus is one of my plans and it was an excellent job those who designed it have done. I can easily work with everybody. I will operate a transparent policy where all will play their role and we will accommodate all. We will encourage all to come on board. The vision I have is very tall and by the time l would be leaving, l want to leave a landmark behind.
By the time we will be celebrating my first100 Days in office, we would have had a list of achievements that would be up to a hundred.
“Staff welfare is my top priority, we want to motivate to innovate. When the staff is happy they will be motivated to innovate and will ensure that there is huge progress in the school.
“We welcome ideas from all quarters, as it will assist to move the University forward. We won’t mind any distraction from any quarter. We will continue to work to move the school forward. We are opening up oppurtunities for all to play their part. Right now, we have an Institute of Part Times programmes, affiliate programmes, Sanndwitches, Top Up, Pre-Degree, there is a Printing Press, FUOYE Bakery, Farm and a petrol station is also coming. All these will give oppurtunities for all. I will ensure the Igbo comm play their part in a major way.”
While giving a Vote of Thanks, Prof. Uzochukwhu, said: “We were not surprised that you became the VC, and it turned out that you became a VC that this Unuversity truly deserves. We would have had a VC that would have been like Saul, but God said He would use this man that will be a Paul. So, the Paul has arrived and we are glad. We are happy with the way you have started and we want to say that you should continue the way you have started, She advised.
In another development, the Ekiti State chapter of the NYCN has endorsed Prof. Fasina’s leadership as befitting for the youths.
Speaking during the meeting with the VC, a member of the Council and Speaker, Ekiti Youths Assembly, Hon. Toba Fatunla, who congratulated the VC on behalf of NYCN, said: “We congratulate you on behalf of the youths for emerging after a very tedious process. We appreciate the fact that God is bringing you on board to activate development in Ekiti State. We want to have a working synergy with you and this will enhance peaceful co-existence.
“Employing and engaging the youths is panacea to Security. The greatest investment is the one done for the youths. We don’t want the youths in the state to be marginalized. We do not want you to be partial but that we need equal representation for the youths from Ekiti State.
“We felt sidelined in all the appointments that have been done in the University before now. Empowerment is also key to our well being and welfare as youths. We are trustng that you will look into all these. We do not want a situation where youths will become combatant. We want to dialogue and we want you to use your fatherly role to ensure this happens so we will be proud that we have a VC that is caring and loving.”
Fabunmi who lauded the Dr. Mohammed Yahuza’s led Governing Council of FUOYE for investigating the former Registrar, Olatunbosun Odusanya and Bursar, Mrs. Roseline Bolatito Akande and doing the needful on their cases, said: “We thank God that He gave the University Governing Council the wisdom to remove the ex-Registar.
It was when the Council also suspended the former Bursar that we realize that we can now come to meet you and discuss the welfare and well being of all the youths in Ekiti State.
“In fact, we would have removed the Ex-Registrar ourselves if the Council didn’t . We are here on two missions, employment and empowerment for the youths from Ekiti State. We want peace so that FUOYE can have peace. We have about 85 voluntary organisations in Nigeria having partnership with the NYCN.
“We want enterprenurship to have a firm footing here. You cannot employ all of us. If job will not work, design a business plan that can get the youths engaged. We will come back to give a concept note which will bring business development.
” You had told me that you wish to work with the youths, in your 100 Days’ in office let us look at the business oppurtunities for the students as the youths. How would you feel if this University has a business school? Something like a FUOYE School of Business.You are favoured to be here. You have become our son in Ekiti State.
We will continue to advise you, do not push it aside. Ekiti youths are here and the VC is our Father. We now welcome you here fully,” he said.
Responding to the youths, Prof. Fasina said: “l appreciate you very much for your visit. I want to say that l am an Ekiti man. I have spent most part of my life in Ekiti. I have spent over 40 years here. I am excited on seeing you. There are great potentials among the youths but we are not tapping those potentials and this is worrisome to me. We will surely partner with you. It gladdens my heart when you mentioned enterprenurship. We have already signed an MoU on this and we will ensure we partner with you on this area.
I will be expecting your proposals for these ideas and I can assure you we will look into them.
We will ensure 80 percent of Ekiti are employed into the junior staff cadre of the University soon.
We are already working on an industrial park. I like your idea on the FUOYE business School of enterprenurship. We will work on this and partner with you. We will partner with you in so many ways. Give us ideas. We will use them,” the VC assured.
