EKSU management with Adesina, 5th from left

The Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Pastor Dele Adesina SAN on Thursday admonished Nigerian Universities to change focus from the old ways of doing things and channel their energies and resources to productive venture that will impart positively on the Nigerian people.

Adesina made this known yesterday during the visit of the University management to his office in Lagos. It was the first time of meeting the management of the institution since his appointment as Pro-Chancellor two weeks ago. The University team was led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof S.O Bandele. Others in the team include the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof I.O Oluwaleye, University Registrar, Mr Akin Arogundade, Burser, Mr Amos Taiwo, Librarian, Mr Nathaniel Ajayi, and Acting Director of Information, MrOlubunmiAjibade.

In his welcome address to the University management team, Adesina made it known that it would not be business as usual as he expects the university to be innovations and ideals driven. “EKSU must be recognized by the ideals that Ekiti State is known for. We are known for quality education. Parents all over Nigeria used to bring their children to Ekiti to study, even at secondary schools level. The university therefore must focus on productive ventures, there must be accountability and probity, students must not only live together, they must also live well. By its very nature, Universities are designed to solve the problems of their societies. EKSU therefore must be at the fore front of institutions that can solve Nigerian various problems through creative thinking and products that could solve societal problems.

The Pro Chancellor reminded the University team that the society is full of high expectations from them. “We must not fail our people. Let us plan to succeed together. We must learn to work together to achieve our set goals without minding who gets the accolade. I want you to know that I am fully committed to these ideals”, he said.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Bandele gave an executive summary of the prospects and challenges facing the university. He informed the Pro-Chancellor that the University currently has 20,000 students, eight faculties, 51 Departments and that the National University Commission (NUC) has just approved 11 new programmes for the institution. He said that the new programmes are professional in nature and it has the potentials of making students self-sufficient. Prof Bandele promised the Pro-Chancellor cooperation and loyalty in the collective assignment to move the university forward.