Femi Otitoju and Bamidele Eleniola
Former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Emeritus Professor Kayode Soremekun has urged the university community to remain committed to excellence, stressing that enduring institutions are built on substance rather than style.
The former Vice-Chancellor said “The university idea is about all of us working together. We must continue to build this institution because one day we will all leave. Above all, we must always place emphasis on substance rather than style,”
Professor Kayode Soremekun who served as the University’s third substantive Vice-Chancellor was warmly welcome on his one-week visit to the campus, where he was celebrated with a guard of honour by the University Security Unit, before proceeding to the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room for an interactive session with the University Management Team and leaders of the university’s unions.
The Emeritus Professor Soremekun described his years at FUOYE as among the happiest period of his career, expressing delight at the University’s remarkable progress.
“When I drove into the campus this morning, I saw tremendous changes and could only thank God. When we started, this place was largely a forest. Today, FUOYE has become a recognised brand,” he happily said.
The former Vice-Chancellor lauded successive administrations for sustaining the institution’s developmental momentum, observing that the University’s rapid growth to over 62,000 student population demonstrates the strength of its foundation.
Reflecting on his administration, Professor Soremekun identified the establishment of the Faculty of Pharmacy as one of his proudest achievements, noting that many older universities did not have such a programme at the time.
He, however, urged the University community not to lose sight of its core mandate.
The Professor of Political Science thanked the University Management for the honour accorded him and encouraged the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole to remain steadfast despite the enormous responsibilities of office.
Welcoming the distinguished scholar, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, described the occasion as a defining moment in the University’s history, saying institutions flourish when they honour those who laid their foundations.
“I am delighted and honoured to welcome the third substantive Vice-Chancellor of this University, Emeritus Professor Soremekun, back to FUOYE. We thank God for preserving his life and giving us another opportunity to celebrate him. This is a new phase of FUOYE, and it is only right that we honour those who came before us,” Prof Ogunwole said.
The Vice-Chancellor paid glowing tribute to Professor Soremekun’s leadership, describing him as an exceptional administrator with an uncommon ability to identify and nurture talent.
Recalling his personal relationship with the former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ogunwole revealed that Prof. Soremekun’s confidence in his abilities significantly influenced his academic journey.
“Emeritus Professor Soremekun only saw my curriculum vitae and insisted that I should be part of FUOYE. He believed in people and gave them opportunities to excel. I can boldly say today that he is one of my destiny helpers, and I can never forget his impact on my life,” he stated.
Professor Ogunwole also recounted how Professor Soremekun corrected an injustice involving a first-class graduate who had been wrongly employed as a technician, describing the gesture as evidence of the former Vice-Chancellor’s fairness, compassion, and commitment to merit.
“We cannot forget your contributions to FUOYE. Many people never have the privilege of appreciating those who positively shaped their lives while they are still alive. We thank God that today we are able to honour you in person,” The VC added.
Providing an overview of the University's growth after Soremekun's administration, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Tajudeen Bolanle Opoola, chronicled FUOYE's remarkable transformation from a young institution operating from a temporary campus into one of Nigeria's fastest-growing universities.
According to the DVC (Admin), Emeritus Professor Soremekun's administration laid the foundations for the University's expansion through the establishment of critical academic programmes, including Medicine, Pharmacy, Law, and Management Sciences, while also overseeing significant growth in staff strength, student enrolment, and physical infrastructure.
"Professor Soremekun took FUOYE from its formative stage into a new phase of development. His administration expanded the University's academic frontiers and positioned it for the remarkable growth we are witnessing today," Professor Opoola said.
He described himself as one of the beneficiaries of Professor Soremekun's mentorship, recalling that the former Vice-Chancellor recruited him to establish the Department of Linguistics and Languages and later encouraged him to remain at the University when he considered going back to his former work place.“I am a seed he planted years ago, and today that seed is bearing fruit. His confidence in people remains one of his greatest legacies,” he asserted.
Professor Opoola noted that FUOYE has continued to witness unprecedented growth after Professor Soremekun’s tenure, with the student population rising to about 62,000 thousand, the expansion of faculties to 16, and the introduction of more than 85 academic programmes.
He added that successive administrations consolidated the University’s development through major infrastructural projects, including the Senate Building, the 1,000-seat Ndoma-Egba Hall, faculty buildings, additional hostels, the FUOYE Business School, the liaison office in Abuja, and the expansion of part-time programmes.
In their own contributions, the university unions equally paid glowing tributes to the former Vice-Chancellor, describing his administration as one marked by fairness, accessibility, and staff-friendly policies.
Speaking on behalf of the unions, the Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Comrade Ayeni Abraham, appreciated Professor Soremekun for prioritising staff welfare during his administration.
Also speaking at the meeting was the Chairperson of the National Association of Non-Teaching Staff (NANTS), Comrade Ganiyu Afolabi who praised the Emeritus Professor for his spirit of magnanimity and commitment to justice.
Afolabi recalled that Professor Soremekun reinstated suspended union leaders at a critical period in the University’s history because he recognised that they were advocating legitimate concerns rather than causing unrest in the ivory tower.
The Chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Comrade Babafemi Oluwasola Dare commended the former Vice-Chancellor for strengthening service delivery and creating an enabling environment for staff.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade Benjamin Faleye, described Professor Soremekun as a quiet achiever whose actions consistently spoke louder than words.
Comrade Faleye also applauded Professor Ogunwole for initiating the programme, noting that honouring former leaders while they are alive reflects institutional maturity and gratitude.
While giving vote of thanks, the Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim, expressed profound appreciation to Emeritus Professor Soremekun for his mentorship and support, acknowledging his role in advancing his professional career.
He also thanked the Vice-Chancellor for initiating the homecoming event and commended members of staff and the university unions for turning out to celebrate one of FUOYE’s foremost builders.
Members of the Management team at the meeting included; Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Academic), Professor Babatunde Omotosho; Deputy Vice Chancellor, (SPRIL), Professor Babatunde Afolabi; Registrar, Mr Mufutau Adesina Ibrahim; Bursar, Dr Mrs Adebolanle Debo-Ajagunna; University Librarian, Dr Olabode Olajide.
Others included, The Dean, Physical Sciences, Professor Cecilia Akintayo; The Director, Academic Planning Unit, Professor Bukola Bolaji; Senior Technical Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebola Aderibigbe; Students Affairs Officer, Mr Raphael Oloruntele Olarewaju; Deputy Director Audit, Mr Sunday Ajewole, among others.
Photo credit: Nifesimi Ogungbe
