Members of staff of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife could not hold their joy yesterday when the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the institution, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi announced the name of the new substantive Vice Chancellor of the university.
Ogunbiyi shortly after the end of the council’s meeting held at Senate building of the institution came out to announce the name of the new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede.
Immediately the announcement was made, there was wild jubilation by the university staff both academic and non academic.
The chairman of the council informed journalists that the resolution of the council has been communicated to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.
He disclosed that Ogunbodede emerged the substantive Vice Chancellor of the university out of 22 candidates that applied for the position.
He explained that 18 candidates applied from within the institution while four others applied from outside the university and sought for by the search team raised by the council.
He declared that one candidate was disqualified because he did not meet the requirements set by the university adding that after interviews and series of screening exercises supervised by joint selection panel by council and university Senate.
Ogunbiyi who called for the support of the staff to the administration maintained that under his watch as chairman of the governing council are determined to move the university forward.
Ogunbodede was immediately contacted on phone to come to the Senate building the venue of the meeting where the staff hailed the decision and jubilate on the choice.
In his remarks, the new Vice Chancellor, Ogunbodede commended the governing Council of the university for being transparent in the selection processes.
He said that his vision was to make OAU one of the first class university in the world and solicited for the support of staff and management to attain the feat.
“By the grace of God, the institution will continue to move forward. I will make sure the university is a world class one. My goal is to get the university to the topmost level. I will make sure that everybody becomes satisfied,” he said.
Ogunbodede (60), is a Professor of Dentistry in the department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences in OAU.
Packaged by Bunmi Oladejo
