Resolve crisis in varsity system, Catholic Bishop tells FG, ASUU

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3 years ago

The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rev Felix Ajakaye, has appealed to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to resolve the lingering crisis that has led to the closure of all public universities, in the interest of the students, parents and the country.

He made the call at the funeral mass held in honour of the immediate past vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, on Friday at the St Peter’s Catholic Church, Okemesi, Ekiti State.

In his homily, the cleric said the fight between the ‘two elephants’, ASUU and the Federal Government, is causing serious discomfort, suffering and uncertainty among students and parents.

“Students, parents and the country are being adversely affected because of the fight between ASUU and FG. Both sides should devise a new way to resolve the crisis and save the country’s university system,” he said.

Rev Ajakaye described the late Daramola, who served as the vice chancellor of FUTA between May 2012 and May 2017, as a God-fearing person who made his mark in the world of academics and contributed immensely to the development of his country.

“Daramola was a courteous and courageous person. He was humble; he reflected his good upbringing in his relationships with people.

“He left worthy legacies of excellent services in all his stations in life and particularly at FUTA where his legacies live on,” he said.

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A Commendation Service was held earlier in honour of the late VC at the Obafemi Awolowo Auditorium of FUTA on Thursday, April 21, 2022, where the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Rev Jude Arogundade, said the former vice-chancellor played important role in FUTA, Nigeria and in the global arena.

In his oration at the ceremony, the incumbent vice-chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape, highlighted the many contributions of Daramola, saying FUTA and the academic world would miss the erudite scholar.

According to Fuwape, Professor Daramola consolidated on the gains of his predecessors and charted new frontiers of development, particularly in the areas of rebranding, internationalization, as well as renewal of critical infrastructure at FUTA.

He noted that the late Professor Daramola as an erudite scholar and researcher also contributed immensely to national and international development through several diverse engagements with government, industries, national and international organisations.

At the ceremony, a childhood friend of the departed vice-chancellor and current president of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, sent in a moving tribute via video feed.

“Your brilliance was clear to all ever since we were together at Ibadan Polytechnic, and also together as classmates at the University of Ife. You contributed greatly to making FUTA what it is today, with your usual honesty, penchant for professionalism, uncompromising integrity, doggedness, vision, passion, and drive for excellence.

“We have lost a wonderful friend and colleague. Your life and how you lived with impeccable integrity and Godly faith will always remain an inspiration,” Adesina’s tribute read in part.

Professor Daramola died on Friday March 25 at the age of 64.