It was an unusual ceremony on Wednesday, 7th June 2017 at the Oduduwa Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife as for the first time in a long while, there was a peaceful transition of power in the office of Vice-Chancellor of the University.
The University, which is about 55 years old, has been known to have a dramatic history when it comes to the process of selecting and inaugurating its leaders, most especially in recent years. It therefore seemed to many a divine occurrence when Anthony Elujoba, a Professor of Pharmacognosy at the institution emerged as its Acting Vice-Chancellor as a result of the alleged flaws in the previous processes to select a leader for the institution which had led to intense protests from some the Unions in the University.
However, barely a year after, Professor Anthony Elujoba has handed over the office to Professor Eyitope Ogunmodede in what many students, staff and well-wishers regard as a monumental moment for the institution as intense emotions of joy were expressed at the performance of the Professor in maintaining peace in the institution.
However, Elujoba would go on in his valedictory speech to give all glory to God and appreciation to the University Community for their support. In his words, he appreciated all unions on campus for accepting him and his flaws and also religious organisations on campus for supporting him with prayers. He also appreciated the more recently appointed Pro-chancellor of the University, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, who he claimed, alongside the governing council, played a major role in facilitating the transparent process that brought in the new Vice-Chancellor. He also in his speech apologised to the students present for the things he could not do.
He went on to charge the new Vice-Chancellor to continue the work in ensuring that the University takes her place in Africa and indeed the world.
Some other dignitaries present at the event were the Ooni of Ife, Alayeluwa Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Emeritus Professor David Ijalaye, Segun Oke, President of the Great Ife Alumni Worldwide, Emeritus Professor Wahab, Emeritus Professor Dibu Ojerinde, internal and external members of the Obafemi Awolowo University and some other school's Governing Council, Deans of Faculties and Provosts of Colleges and a number of other top profile personalities in the University and Society at large.
0 comments: