Adeleke Extends UNIOSUN VC’s Tenure By Two Years

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Osun State Governor and Visitor to Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Ademola Adeleke, has approved a two-year extension of the tenure of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye.

Adeleke announced the extension on Monday during the inauguration of the reconstituted Governing Council of the university in Osogbo.

The governor disclosed that Adebooye had initially declined the tenure extension, but said he eventually approved and formalised the additional two years to ensure continuity in the administration of the institution.

According to Adeleke, the reconstitution of the Governing Council was also designed to strengthen the university’s governance structure and prevent any leadership vacuum capable of disrupting its academic and administrative activities.

The state government had earlier dissolved the university’s Governing Council before immediately reconstituting it.

While inaugurating the new council, Adeleke retained Prof. Adewale Abiodun Oladipo as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, citing his experience and understanding of the institution.

Other members of the reconstituted council are Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal, Alhaji Lateef Olalekan Olayanju, Mr Akinola Franklin Omoniyi, Chief Funminiyi Awotide, Mr Orija Samuel Adebayo, Mrs Adewale Adetayo Bola and Mrs Olawale Oludayo Abolade.

Adeleke charged the council members to discharge their responsibilities with humility, integrity, courage and commitment to the public interest.

He particularly urged the council to maintain a cordial working relationship with the Vice-Chancellor and the university management, warning against rivalry between the governing council and management.

“I charge you to work harmoniously with the Vice-Chancellor and management, stressing that the governing council and management should not operate as competing centres of authority,” the governor said.

He added that both arms of the university’s administration must operate within the law and with mutual respect to achieve the continued development of the institution.

Describing UNIOSUN as “one of the enduring investments of the people of Osun State,” Adeleke said the university had continued to play an important role in the academic, research, economic and intellectual development of the state and the country.

He therefore urged the newly inaugurated council to prioritise the growth and stability of the institution and ensure that it remained responsive to the aspirations of its stakeholders.

Speaking earlier, Oladipo, who also chaired the dissolved council, thanked the governor for retaining him and attributed the decision to the achievements recorded by the previous council.

He listed some of the accomplishments of the dissolved council and pledged that the reconstituted council would consolidate the gains while pursuing new initiatives aimed at moving the university to greater heights.

The Pro-Chancellor assured the governor and other stakeholders that the council would remain committed to the development and progress of UNIOSUN.

In his vote of thanks, Adebooye expressed appreciation to Governor Adeleke, members of the State Executive Council and the newly inaugurated council for their presence and support.

The Vice-Chancellor pledged that the university management would continue to work closely with the Governing Council and other stakeholders to sustain the institution’s growth.

He also expressed confidence that the university would continue to strengthen its academic and research profile and emerge as one of the leading universities in Africa and beyond.