Adeleke lauds UNIOSUN leadership for institutional progress

Governor Ademola Adeleke has commended the leadership of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) for the progress, advancement, and transformation the institution is achieving.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuing its support for the university, noting that the citadel of knowledge has become a model for other universities to emulate.

Adeleke made this statement on Tuesday in Osogbo during his address at the maiden UNIOSUN annual lecture.

He also praised the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, who served as the guest speaker at the event.

He said, “I have been keenly following the governance and administration of this university almost daily. This is because the university is one of the enduring legacies that continue to make us proud as a state. The university has become a model for others to emulate.

“For this, I commend the university’s Governing Council, under the astute chairmanship of Professor Wale Oladipo, for fostering high-quality leadership within the institution.

“On our part, I assure the Governing Council, management, staff, and students of our unwavering support. This is why we are always swift to approve any proposal or request from the Council.

“I am particularly pleased with the title of this lecture and the calibre of the resource person the university has invited to deliver it. I am confident our guest speaker’s insights will further guide the government at all levels.

“I also extend special commendations to the visionary leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye. He is a blessing to the university and Osun State as a whole. As evident in the Vice-Chancellor’s address, UNIOSUN is experiencing steady progress and transformational leadership.”

Earlier, in his lecture titled “Interrogating the Funding of Education: Global versus Nigerian Perspectives,” Mr Gbajabiamila urged stakeholders in the education sector to take swift action to address the funding challenges facing Nigerian public universities.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives called on both the federal and state governments to establish alternative revenue streams for public universities.

“While we must remain dedicated to ensuring university education for all who desire it, we can no longer ignore the reality that unless urgent action is taken to address existing and expected funding challenges, we are accelerating towards a future where our public universities become mere diploma mills instead of citadels of learning and innovation,” he said.

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Clement Adebooye, expressed gratitude to the state governor for his administration’s support for the institution.

Professor Adebooye also praised the Chief of Staff for taking time out of his busy schedule to honour the institution’s invitation, noting that his lecture would further contribute to the development of the country’s education sector.

He said, “I wish to express my appreciation to our passionate governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, for all he has done for this institution.

“Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila is a significant figure in Nigerian politics, with a long history of legislative experience. He has made substantial contributions to supporting higher institutions in Nigeria. I sincerely thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to honour our invitation; we are indeed grateful.”

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