EKSU COUNCIL COMMENDS GOVERNOR FAYEMI
The Governing Council of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU) has commended the Visitor to the University & Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi for his support to the policies of the University geared towards its repositioning.
The Pro-Chancellor & Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Professor Bamitale Omole gave the commendation when he led a delegation of the University’s Council and Management on a courtesy visit to the Governor.
Professor Omole highlighted areas of the Governor’s support to include, but not limited to: accreditation of various programmes of the University; facilitating the deployment of a Wireless Internet Cloud by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and enlisting EKSU as one of the beneficiaries of the State Independent Power Project.
The Pro-Chancellor used the forum to intimate the Governor on the activities of the Governing Council since its inauguration in January 2019. These include, among others: commencement of the process for the review of the University Law; payment of pension and staff emoluments; establishment of the EKSU International College, Afao-Ekiti; automation of the Bursary Department; digitalization of the transcript section; induction of two sets of MBBS graduates in quick succession; and completion of various building projects.
Professor Omole in his address did not fail to mention the various challenges confronting the University such as reduction of the monthly subvention; land encroachment; infrastructural deficit; brain drain and maturity of some programmes for accreditation.
He appealed to the Visitor to consider and approve upward review of the monthly subvention given to EKSU; payment of the five months’ outstanding subventions for year 2018; payment of the sum of 50 million Naira and 130 million Naira only, being the balances for financial support for the 2019 accreditation exercise and the April 2021 subvention, respectively; and release of bail out for the University to enable it to defray the outstanding financial liabilities.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Edward Olanipekun, remarked that the support of Mr. Governor made it possible for EKSU to move in the Webometric ranking, from 157th position three years ago, to 16th position among all the universities in Nigeria and the 3rd best state university in the country. He commended the Visitor for not putting the University Management under pressure on any issue.
Professor Olanipekun also stated that the University was in the process of accessing funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for poultry production as well as from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for agribusiness and hydropower generation. He said that plan was underway to commence perimeter fencing of the University land to prevent further encroachment.
In his response, the Governor of Ekiti State & Visitor to EKSU, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON; assured that the monthly subvention given to the University would be restored in full as soon as the financial situation of the State improves. He also promised to pay the arrears of #1.3 billion subvention owed by the former administration and the outstanding balance of 180 million Naira for the 2019 accreditation exercise and April 2021 subvention.
Bode Olofinmuagun
Head, Directorate of Information & Corporate Affairs.