At the close of work on 20th August, 2019 when majority of staff had already closed for work, the media (particularly the electronic and social) was agog with the news that the Governor of Ekiti State and Visitor to the university, Dr Kayode Fayemi had approved the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. This followed the interview that had been conducted few days earlier.
That was how Edward Olanipekun, a Professor of Industrial Chemistry and Fellow of the Chemical Society of Nigeria (FCSN), who until the appointment was a member of the Faculty of Science, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti was unveiled as the 8th substantive Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.
Today, 20th August, 2020 marks the first year in office of this amiable, cerebral, dynamic and astute administrator in the saddle as the Vice Chancellor in this 38 year old citadel of learning.
The Vice Chancellor, despite the various challenges in the office, settled down pronto to work with a view to pursuing his agenda as contained in his vision and mission statement. This is coupled with the fact that he inherited myraids of challenges from the past administration of his immediate substantive predecessor in office.
To the glory of God, despite these challenges which were aggravated by the sudden global outbreak of the Corona virus pandemic (which affected the internally generated revenue of the university), his administration has been able to record these modest achievements:
* Giving priority attention to welfare of staff and students, including regular payment of salaries, pension and gratuities.
* Full accreditation of all the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes presented to the National Universities Commission in November 2019.
* Commencement of the process of making the university residential, through provision of accommodation for Principal Officers, staff and students on campus. The memoranda of understanding had been signed and contractors are expected to move to site very soon. The outbreak of COVID- 19 delayed their movement to site.
* Donation of materials ( hand sanitizers, liquid soap and face masks) produced in the University, to Ekiti State government to combat the spread of Corona virus in Ekiti State.
* Provision of financial assistance to the French students of the university who were stranded in Benin Republic and Togo.
* Initiation of the process of computerization of the operations of the Bursary and Registry Departments.
* Development of a functional, robust and interactive home-grown portal.
* Ensuring industrial peace and harmony through regular dialogue with staff and students.
* Maintenance of roads and infrastructure including constant supply of water and electricity.
What is required at the moment is for the entire University community to cooperate and support the Vice Chancellor to enable him achieve his mission and vision for the university. The Vice Chancellor also needs the prayers of every stakeholder in the onerous tasks ahead as he commences the second year in office. He has stated repeatedly that the welfare of staff and students is of utmost priority to his administration. Besides, his vision is to make EKSU a 21st century world class and globally competitive citadel of knowledge, largely driven by ICT.
The present COVID 19 pandemic will surely pass away.
Bode Olofinmuagun
Head, Directorate of Information & Corporate Affairs