Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved a two-year extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof. Clement Adebooye.
The extension was announced on Monday when Adeleke inaugurated the reconstituted Governing Council of the university at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo.
According to a statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the governor said the extension was approved in the interest of the institution and to strengthen its administration.
Adeleke said the decision was aimed at ensuring continuity in the leadership of the university and preventing any vacuum that could affect its administration.
The governor also disclosed that Adebooye initially declined the offer to extend his tenure but later accepted it.
Adeleke reconstitutes Governing Council
At the ceremony, Adeleke also inaugurated a new Governing Council for the university, while retaining Prof. Adewale Oladipo as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council.
The governor said Oladipo’s experience and understanding of the university system informed the decision to retain him in the position.
Other members of the reconstituted council are Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal, Alhaji Lateef Olalekan Olayanju, Mr Akinola Franklin Omoniyi, Chief Funminiyi Awotide, Mr Orija Samuel Adebayo, Mrs Adewale Adetayo Bola and Mrs Olawale Oludayo Abolade.
Governor charges council on unity
Addressing the council members, Adeleke urged them to carry out their responsibilities with humility, integrity, courage and commitment to public interest.
He specifically called for cooperation between the council and the university management, warning against rivalry between the two arms of the institution’s administration.
“I charge you to work harmoniously with the Vice-Chancellor and management, stressing that the governing council and management should not operate as competing centres of authority,” the governor said.
Adeleke added that both bodies must operate within the law and maintain mutual respect in pursuit of the university’s development.
The governor described UNIOSUN as “one of the enduring investments of the people of Osun State,” noting that its academic and research activities contribute to the economic, social and intellectual development of Osun State and Nigeria.
Oladipo pledges continuity
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Oladipo, who also headed the dissolved council, thanked the governor for retaining him and attributed the decision to the achievements recorded by the previous council.
Oladipo highlighted some of the accomplishments of the dissolved council and pledged that the reconstituted council would build on the existing gains and work towards further developing the university.
Adebooye promises continued growth
In his vote of thanks, Adebooye expressed appreciation to Governor Adeleke, members of the Osun State Executive Council and members of the newly inaugurated Governing Council.
The Vice-Chancellor pledged that the university management would continue to work with the council and other stakeholders to sustain the institution’s growth.
Adebooye also reiterated the university’s ambition of strengthening its position among leading universities in Africa and beyond.
