Sunday Saanu
Prof. Kayode Soremekun is the third Vice Chancellor of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) who assumed office in 2016 after the sacking of Prof. Isaac Azuzu by President Mohammadu Buhari. Prof. Asuzu took over from Prof. Chinedu Nebo, the pioneer Vice Chancellor. FUOYE was founded in 2011 as one of the federal universities established by the federal government of Nigeria during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Prof. Soremekun is 73 today, having been born on May 21, 1953.
However , from the early stages of his career, Prof. Soremekun demonstrated an aptitude for analytical thinking, strategic foresight, and structured problem-solving. This uncommon attribute, perhaps, was one of the reasons he later became a meteor who shot through and shone in the global firmament of creativity and intellection as he is no doubt, a value-driven visionary leader. When he became the FUOYE third substantive Vice Chancellor, Prof. Soremekun spearheaded the conceptualization, development, and management of a myriad of projects, thus, leaving behind a legacy of positive impact. To give him his due credit, it is stating the obvious to say that his leadership style represents a rare combination of courage, competence and convictions.
He is a distinguished university administrator with a proven track record in strategy, performance, management and institutional transformation. Interestingly, under his watch, every project was executed with meticulous craftsmanship. Not a few pundits have attributed his success in FUOYE to both his exceptional people- management and interpersonal capabilities. It is on record that Prof. Soremekun remains a perfect gentleman with all the trappings and sensibilities of a cosmopolitan scholar. During his tenure in FUOYE, this media guru cum university administrator acquitted himself extremely well, demonstrating drive, determination and diligence.
Although his administration witnessed some challenges as it is common to many who have led universities in Nigeria, Prof. Soremekun charted a future rich in promises and possibilities for FUOYE as his sterling strides were remarkable. His unquantifiable support for several tottering initiatives led to the tremendous developments in the institution. From BOWEN university, Iwo, Prof. Soremekun facilitated the coming of the incumbent FUOYE Vice Chancellor, Prof Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole to FUOYE as he encouraged the internationally acclaimed scholar to bring his grants to FUOYE which provided platform for Prof. Ogunwole to flourish. Today, Prof. Ogunwole remains grateful to Prof. Soremekun for the former Vice Chancellor’s foresight and broad mindedness.
lways acting in a fashion of a gentleman with his humility seen as both amazing and edifying, Prof. Soremekun’s exemplary life remains mnemonic, just as his steady strides impacted lives and built legacies. Sired in the true tenets of African virtues and values, Prof. Soremekun, with humility, decency and sense of statesmanship portrayed himself as a prototypical renaissance character. Strangely, since he left office, he has remained true to himself: detached, stoic. By every parameter, however, he is deserving of every honour that FUOYE can afford to accord him, given his enormous contribution to the university.
While evaluating his tenure in the Directorate of Public Affairs and Communication, one of the foundation members of the university, Mr. Godfrey Bakji recalled how Prof. Soremekun used the media to fight some unscrupulous contractors who did a shoddy job in FUOYE during Prof. Soremekun’ s regime. According to Mr. Bakji, “Prof. Soremekun had been calling and begging the contractor to return and perfect a building project, when the contractor would not be budge, Prof Soremekun invited some media houses and exposed the contractor. Immediately the story was reported in the media, the contractor showed up and did the needful ” The third VC was always seeking innovative solutions to a complex challenges. Prof. Soremekun catalyzed several success stories in FUOYE as his administration was marked by resilience and resourcefulness.
Born in Lagos, but hailed from Abeokuta, the young Soremekun who in 1967 gained admission to the country’s probably best secondary school, the prestigious, King’s College, Lagos, attended the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1972. After a year in the university, he was designated a National Award Scholar. By 1976, at the age of 23, he bagged Bachelor’s Degree in English/History
Armed with the first degree, Soremekun did not hesitate to return to Ife in 1978 for his M.Sc. Degree in International Relations which he completed in one year.
After his Master’s Degree, Soremekun went into journalism full time. His first port of call was Times International, where he served as Staff Writer. His talent distinguished him and was transferred to the Editorial Board of The Daily Times. Amid the sickening politics of the Second Republic and its consequence on the newspaper, he left for his alma mater in 1982 to undertake his doctoral research programme while serving as an Assistant Lecturer.
He completed his doctoral programme at a record time with focus on “Nigerian Petroleum Policy and External Relations.”
Soremekun, a highly cerebral scholar, capped his doctoral feat with a post-doctoral studies at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, Netherlands and the School of Public Affairs, University of Maryland, College Park in the United States. Respectively, at these institutions, Soremekun studied International Law and the United States Foreign Policy Process.
Today is his birthday. One can only pray that God continues to preserve this living legend for the benefit of humanity. Congratulations, Sir. Many more years in peace and prosperity.
Saanu, Ph.D, is the Director, Public Affairs and Communication, FUOYE.
