UNIOSUN: Southern Youth Forum Applauds Adebooye, Backs Tenure Extension

A socio-cultural organisation, the Southern Youth Forum (SYF), has passed a vote of confidence in the Vice Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, following the extension of his tenure by the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

The group described the extension as a recognition of Adebooye’s transformative leadership since he assumed office in 2022, saying his administration had brought significant improvements in infrastructure, academic programmes, research and industrial harmony to the university.

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, National President of the forum, Amb. Olajide Olakunle, said the group’s decision was based on what it described as the positive impact of the vice chancellor’s administration on the university community, particularly students and youths.

According to him, more than 60 projects have been completed across UNIOSUN’s seven campuses since Adebooye assumed office.

He listed some of the projects as the Senate Building, Faculty of Computing, faculty buildings in Osogbo and Ikire, lecture theatres with capacities ranging from 250 to 1,300 students, 360-bed and 200-bed hostels, Science Laboratory Complex, Anatomy Complex, Sports Complex, medical personnel apartments, ICT Resource Centre and internal roads.

The group also commended the administration for providing free campus-wide Wi-Fi, solar power for college offices and health centres across the seven campuses, as well as furnishing and equipping laboratories for Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Laboratory Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, among others.

Other achievements highlighted by the forum included the establishment of Nutrition and Dietetics laboratories, acquisition of a new tractor for the College of Agriculture and networking of the campuses to facilitate lecture delivery.

On academic expansion, SYF said the number of Bachelor’s degree programmes increased from 66 in 2022 to 128, while the student population rose from about 14,600 to 42,348 during the period.

It further claimed that PhD programmes increased from 39 to 209, while UNIOSUN had risen to third among state universities in Nigeria, 19th among 312 universities in the country and 137th among 2,390 universities in Africa.

The forum also praised Adebooye for completing the Alakija Medical Research Hospital, which it said he inherited at about 40 per cent completion, as well as facilitating more than 75 international research grants worth millions of dollars.

Olakunle said the vice chancellor had also reduced the cost of administration through virtual lecture delivery across the university’s campuses.

On industrial harmony, the group said Adebooye had restored peace to the institution after years of protests and crises between 2016 and 2021.

The forum particularly commended him for pardoning 17 interdicted members of staff, describing the gesture as part of efforts to restore peace and unity within the university community.

“He pardoned all the 17 interdicted members of staff and cleansed the university of crisis,” the group stated.

Describing Adebooye as an “icon” and an “outstanding role model,” the Southern Youth Forum said his vision, diligence and dedication had made him an inspiration to Nigerian youths.

Olakunle said, “We own it as a duty, on behalf of humanity, to profoundly appreciate and celebrate this icon who has contributed immeasurably towards the economic growth and infrastructural development of Nigeria with greater efficiency, proficiency, patriotism and dedication.”

The group also appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIOSUN chapter, and other stakeholders to sustain the prevailing peace in the institution, stressing that the vice chancellor remained a father to all members of the university community.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we did this in solidarity with the man that has really contributed a great quota to our education system. His leadership dexterity and trademark achievements are audible to the deaf and visible to the blind.

“We appeal once again to all concerned to kindly allow the sleeping dog to lie in UNIOSUN,” the statement added.

Professor Adebooye was appointed Vice Chancellor of Osun State University in 2022. His tenure was recently extended by two years by Governor Ademola Adeleke.