New pro-chancellor pledges to move EKSU forward

The pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Dele Adesina, (SAN), last Thursday admonished universities to change focus from the old ways by channeling their energies and resources towards productive ventures that would affect their immediate communities and the people positively.

He said that universities in the country must henceforth be in the forefront of the nation’s development

Adesina made the call when members of the university’s management, led by the vice chancellor, Professor Samuel Oye Bandele, visited him in his office in Lagos.

It was his first meeting with the university’s management since he was appointed pro-chancellor two weeks ago.

Other members of the management team that visited him included the deputy vice chancellor, Professor I. O. Oluwaleye; registrar, Mr Akin Arogundade; bursar, Mr Amos Taiwo; librarian, Mr Nathaniel Ajayi; and acting director of information and corporate affairs, Mr Ajibade Olubunmi.

In his welcome address, Adesina said he would expect the university to be innovative and ideals-driven.

Adesinia said: “EKSU must be recognised by the ideals that Ekiti State is known for. We are known for quality education. Parents all over Nigeria used to bring their children to Ekiti to study, even at the secondary school level.

“The university (EKSU), therefore, must focus on productive ventures. There must be accountability and probity. Students must not only live together; they must also live well.

“By their very nature, universities are designed to solve the problems of their societies. EKSU, therefore, must be at the forefront of institutions that can solve Nigeria’s various problems through creative thinking and products that could solve societal problems.

“We must not fail our people. Let us plan to succeed together. We must learn to work together to achieve our set goals without minding who gets the accolade. I want you to know that I am fully committed to these ideals.”

The vice chancellor, Professor Bandele, gave an executive summary of the prospects and challenges facing the university, and promised the pro-chancellor cooperation and loyalty in the collective assignment to move the university forward.