Ooni Lauds OAU Governing Council On VC Selection Process
Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has commended the Governing Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, for the unbiased and transparent process adopted in choosing a new Vice-Chancellor for the fifty-five (55) year old Institution.
Ooni Ogunwusi gave the commendation when the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, paid a courtesy call on him in company with the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede.
A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the Royal Father lauded the council for inviting all the eligible candidates for the interview and for using the same criteria for assessing them, stating that the creation of a level-playing ground for the contestants was symptomatic that the council members are Nigerians of high integrity, whose wealth of experience could be used to take Obafemi Awolowo University to a higher ground.
He urged the new Vice-Chancellor to feel free to approach him for any assistance that may further enhance the smooth running of the affairs of the Institution, calling on the staff, students and the entire Obafemi Awolowo University Community, all sons and daughters of Ifeland, citizens of Osun state, Yorubas in general and all other stakeholders to rally round Professor Tope Ogunbodede so that his vision and mission for the University would be fully accomplished.
Ooni Ogunwusi, then shower royal blessing on the Vice-Chancellor, praying that God will grant him sound health, required knowledge, unquantifiable wisdom to make Obafemi Awolowo University the best in Africa and one of best in the world and that his tenure will record spectacular progress and uncommon achievements.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Obafemi Awolowo University Governing Council, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, thanked the Ooni for being fatherly and making sure that there is peace, at all times, in Obafemi Awolowo University.
He recounted the process leading to the eventual emergence of Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, emphasising that the sixty (60) year-old Professor of Dentistry, performed exceptionally and clinched the first position.
Dr. Ogunbiyi continued that it would be most respectful and appropriate for him after the press conference through which his selection and appointment was announced, to formally present the eleventh (11th) VC of the University to the Ooni for royal blessings, assuring that existing cordial relations between the town and gown would experience new vigour and vibrancy, as the incoming Vice-Chancellor had in time past initiated diverse fully funded community focused projects and intervention programmes which numerous rural and urban dwellers had benefitted and are still benefitting from.
