Oyebanji’s support helping in EKSU transformation — VC

The Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University(EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Professor Babatola Ayodele has said the support of the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji in the last few years is responsible for the transformation and stability being witnessed in the institution.

He explained that the governor, among other support, has increased the subvention to the university twice in the last three years, saying the gesture has helped the institution carry out its mandate effectively.

Ayodele, who spoke during the special thanksgiving service organised to mark his first anniversary as vice chancellor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Life Gate Parish, Ado-Ekiti, said EKSU has witnessed tremendous progress and development in the last year under his leadership.

He noted that more academic programmes which are globally relevant were approved and accredited for the institution in the last year, thereby making the university one of the most preferred universities in the country.

While lauding the Oyebanji-led administration for its investment in education, the VC commended staff unions, students and other stakeholders for their support and cooperation in the last year as the head of the institution.

He revealed that the debt profile of the university has been reduced from N12billion to N7 billion in the last one year, saying that, ” I want to commend Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his deliberate efforts at supporting us.

“The governor has been supporting the university for the last one year under my leadership. As an alumnus, he(Governor) promised to support me and the university and he has been doing it.

“We are on a mission to reposition the university and we have been doing that in the last one year, which is evident in the latest university rankings.

“We are changing the narratives about the institution, and you will see in the next four years what we will do. There are more structures springing up, likewise an increase in student enrolment.

“Very soon, we are starting a postgraduate programme in medicine, making EKSU one of the four universities offering a PhD in medicine in the country.

“This is just the first leg of my five-year tenure. In the coming year, we must embark on several projects: renovating some old buildings, expanding facilities to accommodate the increasing enrollment and preparing adequately for the Law Council of Nigeria, as we are set to establish our Law program. Resources are being gathered, and we are committed to adding value to everything we already have.

“With God’s help and with the support of the wonderful people of Ekiti State under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, I believe we will achieve our goals. By this time next year, we will gather again to thank God for what He has done.”

The VC who promised to continue to prioritise the welfare of staff members and Students, solicited support across board so that the university can advance in terms of infrastructural development and educational advancement.

In his sermon, titled ‘Life is a stage’, the pastor in charge of RCCG region 25, Pastor Tunde Abdullahi, congratulated the VC for the appointment, noting that the institution has experienced steady growth in the last one year.

Represented by the Assistant Pastor, Tunde Adelusi, the cleric urged the new management to remain steadfast and dedicated with the fear of God in achieving his lofty ideals for the university in the next few years.

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