Since my appointment as Director of Public Affairs and Communication (DIPAC) of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), I have been having exciting times acclimatizing to this beautiful community of scholars, mastering its culture and territory with a view to properly adapting to it. My quest has been assisted by the magnanimity of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole who has been granting my desire without any reservation. Prof. Ogunwole who epitomizes excellence and embodies the values of dedication, compassion, and innovation allows me access to the Management meetings and Senate meetings, believing that attending these statutory meetings will enable me to have accurate information as Director of information. I can’t be less grateful to this leader who is giving his time, treasure, and talent to the task of taking FUOYE to higher heights.
A university senate meeting is the highest decision making body for academic affairs, chaired by the Vice Chancellor and comprised of professors and senior staff. It governs academic policy, approves curricula, regulates student admissions, conducts and approves results for graduation. It acts as the ultimate authority on all scholarly matters with the university Registrar, serving as its Secretary.
Tuesday, 24 March, 2026 was my first attendance of FUOYE’s Senate meeting. Eminent professors of different disciplines had thronged the ultramodern building in their numbers; few minutes before the commencement of the meeting, exchanging pleasantries amidst cheers and jeers! Interestingly, the Chairman of the meeting, Prof. Ogunwole was still in his conference room, holding another meeting with another group of people. Only God knows where he derives his energy, Prof. Ogunwole could hold five to seven meetings back to back in a day without showing a sign of fatigue! He soon called off the earlier meeting and joined the capacity-filled Senate meeting, upon a tip off by one of his aides that it was time for a Senate meeting.
With a stentorian voice, he said; upon taking his seat, “Good afternoon, distinguished Senators of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, it is my pleasure to welcome you to this meeting”, signaling the commencement of the scholarly engagement. The whole meeting was no less democracy in action as the Vice Chancellor, took charge, calling members in different directions who indicated to contribute to debate or have useful information. With the way he conducted the proceedings, it was clear that Prof. Ogunwole has the know-how, the intellectual deftness, the street wisdom, the personality and the courage to do the work. He convinced everyone in attendance that he was a leader who has an uncanny ability to see far deeper, larger, and longer than an ordinary man.
However, what were the take away from the meeting? Without pre-emptying the Senate Secretary, the Registrar, Mr. Mufutau A. Ibrahim, there were many interesting issues that were raised and decided upon by the Senate. But, let us take four for the sake of public knowledge. Senate charged the Prof. Patrick Oladele Estimate Committee to collate the needs of all Faculties for the year, including conferences, workshops and Seminars and other academic activities. The Committee would liaise with the University Budget Committee to harmonize the broad-based needs. Senate, in the same veins, approved the election of Prof. Babatope Alabadan as Chairman of Committee of Deans and Directors.
Again, on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund), Senate, under the Chairmanship of Prof. Ogunwole charged the Prof. Mojisola Oyarekua led committee to scout round all Faculties and Departments to get 100 academic staff that will benefit from the TetFund-Fund Committee. Interestingly, in his passion to add international flavour to the academic activities in FUOYE, Prof. Ogunwole announced plans for the international scholars to teach FUOYE students without paying them salaries. What the university needs to do, according to the VC, is to handle the logistics surrounding the coming of such diaspora scholars, such as paying for the air ticket, arrange accommodation as they teach FUOYE students free of charge.
From all that happened on the senate meeting on that day, it is obvious that FUOYE is blessed with amazing eggheads who showcased their academic excellence with the quality of their debate and intellectual input into matters of interest. There is no doubting the fact that Prof. Ogunwole, an orator of extraordinary brilliance, is determined to take this university to the next level. What is therefore needed is the corporation and support of all and sundry. It is so gratifying that I witnessed the meeting of our scholars with so much to savour!
In attendance were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Tajudeen Bolanle Opoola, Deputy Vice Chancellor Designates: Prof. Afolabi Babatunde, Prof. Joshua Babatunde Omotosho, the Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim, and the university librarian, Dr. Olajide Olabode among others.
