- Ajayi Pledges Not To Tamper With The Institution’s Masterplan
The Head of Service in Oyo State, Mrs Ololade Agboola was one of the distinguished guests who witnessed the official inauguration of the new Vice Chancellor of the First Technical University, Ibadan, Professor Adesola Ajayi on Monday.
Professor Adesola Ajayi, too has said that he would not tamper with the masterplan of the institution.
Ajayi was inaugurated as the second vice chancellor on Monday, May 9, a day after his predecessor and pioneer VC, Professor Ayobami Salami, exited office after the expiration of his tenure.
In his address in which he saluted Salami for having been his mentor and for having believed in him, while also thanking his teachers, family and others who had positively impacted his life, Ajayi unfolded a mission statement targeting strategic improvement on the solid foundation laid by Salami.
He said, “The thrust of this five-year (2022-2027) mission statement is to grow the university by building on the solid foundation, the glorious beginning and the trajectory of achievements of the pioneer management of the First Technical University (Tech-U), 2017-2022. The Management did not spare effort in ensuring that the institution have the full complement of what a university should have and indeed a solid foundation was laid such that subsequent Management need only to grow and expand on the existing structures that have been established.
“There will be further infrastructural Development to expand facilities for staff and students and thereby support the attainment of the objectives of the university by Upscaling physical infrastructure and other service facilities to match evolving campus demography, adherence to the master plan while situating new buildings and landscaping; seeking funding and private sector partnerships to undertake/donate building projects across the University campus; and developing and implementing a sustainable environmental programme to maintain and further enhance the beauty of the University estate.”
The Igbojaiye, Oyo State-born scholar also promised the facilitation of ‘Tech Start-ups’ and an operational Industrial Park to make Tech-U a hub for technology incubation and innovation by encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration across faculties and Departments and institutions, organizing annual technology exhibitions; establishment of a walk-in business hub for training, research and demonstrations for students and non-students as a hub to mentor start-ups and advance ideas with commercial potential. It will also enable a learning environment steeped in innovation and characterised by discovery, collaboration, inquiry and engagement.”
Also speaking at the programme, Salami described the day as one of the happiest days of his life as, according to him, he had left the university in the hands of a worthy successor.
He said, “When we started this university, Professor Ajayi was with me. He worked 26 hours a day to see that the dream behind the university is realised. I am therefore happy that he is the one taking over, although he had to go through a keen competition to get the job. Success without a successor is a failure, that is why I am exceptionally glad to witness today’s ceremony.”
Salami solicited the support of the management and staff for Ajayi, so that there would continue to be progress.
Earlier, the Registrar, Mrs Olayinka Balogun, described the transition between Salami and Ajayi as the best Tech-U could pray for.
Balogun said in her opening remarks, “A never-before-seen transition is about to take place as our Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayobami Salami, a man of character, capacity and confidence, who has already written his name in gold in the annals of this university, hands over to his successor, the second substantive Vice-Chancellor.
“History will indeed be kind to Professor Salami and in years to come, he will be mentioned among pioneers, game changers and men who laid foundations for great and mighty things to flourish. I mean the likes of Professors Kenneth Onwuka Dike, Hezekiah Oluwasanmi and our dearly beloved Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe.
“What better confirms his sterling leadership is that a man who worked with him has been found worthy of stepping into his shoes? As you already know, the other memorable event of today is that the second Vice-Chancellor in the history of Tech-U, Professor Adesola Ajayi, will be inaugurated before our very eyes.
There is no denying the fact that he is a scholar of genuine quality, a stickler for excellence and a first-class brain. Those who know him well enough will readily attest to his significant experience in tertiary education administration and undiluted commitment to the development of First Technical University, Ibadan.”
Packaged by Olayinka Agboola
