I’ll leave achievements not enemies at the end of my tenure – New UI VC.
By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan.
The new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka has declared that his choice was divine and ready to leave behind achievements rather than enemies at the end of his five year tenure .
Professor Olayinka who stated this at the inauguration service held for him at the University of Ibadan Chapel of The Resurrection declared that nothing can stop him from pursuing his set goals and vision for the University.
The new Vice Chancellor maintained that he is committed to moving the University forward as he was very much at home in the institution where he had been for almost four decades both as student and as a lecturer during which he held various positions which ensured his interaction with both the low and the mighty within the community.
According to Professor Olayinka, all the 13 candidates that contested for the Vice Chancellor’s seat were eminently qualified to hold the position, but, it was natural that somebody would have to be picked and that it was just by providence that he was chosen.
Emphasizing his readiness to work with all the stakeholders to take University of Ibadan to a higher level, the new Vice Chancellor lauded the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for fighting for academic freedom which made the choice of VC the prerogative of every university in the country.
He stressed that if it had been days when three names would be sent to Abuja for the Presidency to make choice, his name would not have crossed Oba River in the university’s campus not to talk of River Niger, talk less of Abuja, the seat of power.
Speaking with journalists thereafter, he solicited the cooperation and support of all the members of the university community, saying, “pull him down attitude” would not help either the individual or the university system.
Professor Olayinka then urged his colleagues still grumbling over his choice to accept his emergence as the verdict of God, work together with him on his vision and mission for the institution.
“There is always another time, five years will just be like five days, so, let’s all put behind us what has happened in the past and look forward to a glorious future”.
The Chaplain of the Chapel of The Resurrection, The Very Rev. Timothy Olatunji described the day as an historic one in the life of the institution and charged the VC to see Psalm 75:6 as being manifested in his life and be conscious of it that promotion only comes from God.
Reverend Olatunji however charged the new VC to be ready to stand alone like the Biblical Daniel, saying,”it is most unlikely that some of your supporters while contesting for the position will stand by you when and if you do the right things.
“Don’t use your precious time writing petition which is our past time in the country, but, use your time to build on the good things done by your predecessors, there is rot in every institution in Nigeria and the University of Ibadan is not an exception, but dare to stand alone and do the right thing. You should always acknowledge that all the 13 Professors that contested the position alongside with you are potential VCs, but, by providence, God made you the VC, so, please, don’t despise them, give them room to support you”, he charged the VC.
