THE Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Professor Kolawole Salako, has bowed out after five years in office.
Salako, who was appointed the substantive Vice Chancellor of the university on November 1, 2017, completed his five years tenure Monday.
In his valedictory speech, Salako said he wanted to be remembered as someone who would not compromise when it came to excellence.
He said, “Excellence cannot be compromised. This is the statement I made on November 1, 2017 when I took over, and I am repeating it now, excellence cannot be compromised. This is what I want to be remembered for.”
When asked about his wish for the varsity, he said, “My prayer is that FUNAAB shall be stronger and I shall be stronger too.”
As part of activities marking his valedictory programme, staffers of the institution organised a send-off party in honour of the outgoing Vice Chancellor.
Aside from workers of the university, the event was also attended by traditional rulers from host communities as well as leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Ogun.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Christian Ikeobi, stated that the university community would miss Salako “for bringing positive growth and development to FUNAAB.”
Ikeobi recalled how Salako projected the university in positive light by taking it from the 38th to the 9th positon in the ranking of universities in Nigeria.
He added that FUNAAB’s College of Veterinary Medicine, under the watch of Salako, “was rated number one in Nigeria,” saying these are what the don would be remembered for.
Ikeobi disclosed that the Governing Council had announced an acting VC to take over from Salako on Tuesday.
“We now have an acting Vice Chancellor appointed by the Governing Council of the university. He will be taking over tomorrow (Tuesday). That’s Professor Olusola Kehinde. He will be acting pending the time a substantive VC is appointed by the university,” Ikeobi revealed.
Also, the Balogun of Mawuko, Adeoye Adekunle, has appealed to the Federal Government to return management courses to FUNAAB.
This, Adekunle said, would prevent the satellite campus at Mawuko from becoming an abandoned project, stating that the campus had hastened the development of the community.
While bidding Salako farewell, the community leader begged Salako’s successor not to abandon the ongoing projects embarked upon by the outgoing Vice Chancellor.
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