Until my appointment as Director, Directorate of Public Affairs and Communication (DIPAC), I never met the current Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, neither did I have sufficient information on him. All what my search online could reveal was that he was once the Vice Chancellor of BOWEN University, Iwo, and Deputy Vice Chancellor at FUOYE. I resumed at FUOYE on 2nd March, 2026 while he had earlier resumed as VC on February 11, 2026. We were hitherto both strangers to each other!
Since my assumption of duty, however, I have been on alert in order to know and understand the kind of boss I will be working with. Working with the Vice Chancellors is never my problem. I had worked with Prof. Olufemi Bamiro (2005-2010), Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole (2010-2015), Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka (2015-2020) in the University of Ibadan (UI) before moving to Ajayi Crowther University; on sabbatical, where I worked with Prof. Timothy Abiodun Adebayo as Media Assistant. The job of a VC is a tough task. It is not meant for a fickle-minded fellow, but for the best and the brightest among the pack. In this job, I have seen VCs who wept secretly on account of the demand of the job. Yet, I have seen VCs who cried openly when the chips were down. Those who are privileged to work with them must as well develop and display emotional stability and intellectual profundity.
But now, my new boss is a brand new VC of FUOYE, who has just spent a month in the office. I have been studying him like my Bible. The result has been impressive. So far, he has met with some segments of the university, including, the Registry, the Busary and the Library staff where Prof. Ogunwole shared his administrative directions. I was there. I listened to him. I analyzed every word that proceeded from his mouth. Upon a thorough synthesis and analysis of his theses, I realized that a new face of FUOYE has been conceptualized by him. He is talking to the university community to secure their understanding as well as their buying into his vision. One could see the thoroughness in his talk.
From what he has said so far, and what he has left unsaid, including his body language, it is apparent that FUOYE is in for a paradigm shift! This is an era of business unusual. Prof. Ogunwole is bringing illuminative panache and innovativeness to the task at hand. Here is a fine gentleman with imposing physique and charming carriage. He has respect for knowledge and scholarly relevance. He has reputation for incisive analysis backed by electrifying brain power. Interestingly, the intellectual flavor in his arguments is ever remarkable. He is forthright and firm with a disposition that broods no nonsense. Those who are very hardworking and creative in their work will not have any problem with him. He is quiet but not silent, tenacious without being over bearing, accommodating but not permissive, firm, but fair.
Back to the subject of this discourse, we had a reason to visit Abuja recently. FUOYE Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Senator Ndoma Egba was to mark his 70th birthday. And, we must be in attendance. But the snag was this, we were to go by road! Going to Abuja by road? I became somewhat apprehensive. I remember the security situation in the country. My mind quickly ran through the nefarious activities of the bandits and kidnappers on the road. I went into my room. I prayed against kidnappers with Psalm 91. I spoke in tongues against bandits. I cast away robbers on the highway. I reminded God how He provided this job for me. I told God to protect us because I knew some people somewhere were waiting to hear that Saanu has been kidnapped. They will then rejoice and say, “God don catch him. His own is too much”
Lo and behold, the Chief Executive Officer himself was leading us. He was in the vehicle. Along with other senior members of the university community with our security arrangements, we took off in Ekiti and landed safely in Abuja on Saturday, preceding Sunday 8th March, 2026, the birthday of our Chairman. Upon getting to Abuja, my boss called me aside and gave two members of my Directorate and myself some cash to augment the amount given to us by the university. He is indeed a kind and compassionate leader.
From all I have seen so far, Prof. Ogunwole epitomizes excellence and embodies the values of dedication, compassion, and innovation. He talks with an authority of experience and he has capacity to respond to contingencies. He is a master of the art of tact, balance and ambidextrous navigation. He is naturally unflappable, a man of impeccable oratory. The giant strides and impacts he made while leading BOWEN as its VC have remained a reference point. Many of his mentees call him “Coach”, because he is a veritable teacher and a rational leader. Expectedly, at the end of his tenure, it is certain that FUOYE, the fastest-growing university will not remain the same way Prof. Ogunwole has met it.
Among the FUOYE officials present on the occasion were some council members including, Engr. Prof. Adekunle Adefemi Mr. Olushola O. Taiwo, Prof. Bukola Bolaji, and Prof. Abiodun Adeboye.
They also included Deputy Vice Chancellors, Prof. Tajudeen Opoola (Administration), Prof. Babatunde Afolabi and Prof. B. J. Omotosho; the Bursar, elegant Dr. (Mrs.) Bolanle Debo-Ajagunna; the Registrar, agile Alhaji Mufutau Ibrahim; the University Librarian, handsome Dr. Olabode Olajide; and Director of Directorate of Public Affairs and Communication (DIPAC), Dr. Sunday Saanu; and the Protocol Officer, handsome Mr. Abiodun Oloniniyi, among others.
Also in attendance were Mr. Fagbamila Adeniyi (Library), Mr. Olawale Osho (registry), Mr. Egunjobi Akinyemi (Council Affairs Officer), Mr. Owoeye Olumide (Council affairs unit), Mr. James O. James (Council Affairs), Mr. Otitoju Femi (DIPAC), Mr. Olutoye Fisher( DIPAC), Mr. Adedeji Abiodun A. (Works and Services), Mr. Agbaje P. Toyin ( Works and Services), Mr. Adewumi Damola (Works and Services).
Photo Credit: Toye Fisher
