Toye Fisher
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Joshua Ogunwole, has charged students of the university to strive for excellence and become the best versions of themselves in their academic pursuits and personal development.
Professor Ogunwole gave the charge on Thursday, March 5, 2026, while hosting a law student of the university, Miss Favour Awolana, who recently emerged as a recipient of the prestigious Cain Global Fellowship of the University of North Carolina, United States, in recognition of her outstanding academic performance.
The brief ceremony took place at the Conference Hall of the university’s ultra-modern Senate Building and was attended by members of the Faculty of Law and university officials.
Congratulating the student and her parents, the Vice-Chancellor described Awolana as a shining example of the type of student the university seeks to produce.
“One of the reasons I insisted they bring her here is because of what she represents. She represents what I want the students of FUOYE to be. She represents the face of the new FUOYE,” he said.
Professor Ogunwole commended the student for her passion for distinction, resilience and determination, noting that her success reflects the sleepless nights and hard work she must have invested in her studies.
“You have not seen the best yet. The world is only beginning to show you the possibilities. The sky is your stepping stone,” he added, while assuring that the university would continue to celebrate students who distinguish themselves through excellence.
In recognition of her outstanding achievement, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, also presented a cash award to Miss Favour Awolana as a token of appreciation for bringing honour to the university through her academic excellence and international recognition. The Vice-Chancellor noted that the gesture was meant to further encourage the student and inspire other FUOYE students to pursue excellence and remain committed to hard work and distinction in their academic endeavours.
Earlier, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Adeola Olufunke Kehinde, had told the gathering that the faculty was proud of Awolana’s academic accomplishments and the example she has set for other students.
According to her, Awolana has maintained an outstanding academic record since gaining admission into the university in the 2022/2023 academic session.
She disclosed that the student recorded an impressive CGPA of 4.96 in her first year (100 Level), earning a scholarship from Stanbic IBTC. In her second year, she secured another scholarship from the Jim Ovia Foundation after achieving a CGPA of 4.83, while maintaining excellent academic performance in subsequent examinations.
Dr Kehinde described the student as disciplined, committed and academically outstanding, adding that the faculty remains proud of her achievements.
“As a faculty, we are proud of Favour. She has become an example for others in the faculty to follow,” she said.
The Dean also appreciated members of the Faculty of Law for their commitment to mentoring students and appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to support Awolana with necessary logistics, including travel and visa arrangements, to enable her fully participate in the fellowship programme.
Also present from the Faculty of Law were the Head of Department, Public Law, Dr Muslim Omoleke; Head of Department, Private Law, Dr Opeyemi Omotuyi; Faculty Examination Officer, Dr Ganiyu Yahaya; and Faculty Officer, Mr Lanre Ojo.
Reacting, Awolana, who appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and the university management for the honour and encouragement, described the moment as deeply inspiring.
She thanked her parents, Venerable and Mrs R. O. Awolana, for their support and sacrifices towards her academic journey.
The law student explained that she had initially gained admission to the University of Ilorin in 2021 but later made the decision to pursue her passion for studying Law at FUOYE, a choice that required her to relinquish a fully funded Federal Government scholarship at the institution.
She also expressed appreciation to the lecturers in the Faculty of Law for their mentorship and encouragement, noting that their support played a significant role in her academic success.
Awolana further revealed that she was recommended for the Cain Global Fellowship through the Afara Initiative, an organisation known for mentoring talented African students for leadership opportunities and careers in multinational organisations.
In another development during the visit, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Temitope Babalola, presented a group of talented students known as Artist 26 FUOYE, who showcased creative works aimed at promoting the university’s image and addressing important societal issues.
Professor Babalola explained that the initiative was conceived after the university called for creative works during the recent valedictory and inauguration ceremonies, where several students responded with impressive artistic contributions.
According to him, the initiative seeks to bring together creative students across different disciplines to collaborate and use their talents to tell the story of FUOYE while also addressing issues such as cultism, drug abuse and gender-based violence.
He also disclosed plans to organise an exhibition during the second semester that will showcase creative works centered on the story and development of FUOYE.
Students involved in the initiative include Ilori Oluwademiladeogo Enoch from Mechatronics Engineering; Akinola Gbenga from the Faculty of Law; Oduyemi Olayinka from Linguistics and Languages; and Babalola Elisha from Civil Engineering, who presented some of their creative works to the Vice-Chancellor.
Responding, Professor Ogunwole commended the students for their creativity and initiative, stressing that universities have a responsibility not only to provide academic training but also to nurture the talents and interests of students.
He emphasised that lecturers must see themselves as facilitators whose responsibility is to stimulate students’ thinking and inspire innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor also suggested expanding the scope of the Directorate of Student Affairs to Student Affairs and Support Services in order to broaden the support available for students.
He further assured the students of the university management’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote innovation, creativity and positive engagement among FUOYE students.
Photo Credit: Nifesimi Ogungbe
