By Otitoju Femi
The Oloye of Oye-Ekiti and Paramount Ruler of Oye Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sir Michael Ademola Ademolaju, OON, has described the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, as “the Joshua of our time,” expressing confidence in his ability to lead the institution to greater heights.
The royal father made the remark on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, when Professor Ogunwole paid a courtesy visit to the palace alongside principal officers of the university as part of efforts to strengthen the institution’s town-and-gown relationship and seek royal blessings for the success of his administration.
Welcoming the Vice-Chancellor and his entourage, Oba Ademolaju said the Oye Kingdom was delighted to receive the university’s new helmsman, noting that the community had strongly supported his emergence as Vice-Chancellor.
“We are happy to receive you in this palace today. Since we learnt that you would emerge as the Vice-Chancellor, we all endorsed and supported you. Today, we are already witnessing positive changes in the university,” the monarch said.
Offering prayers for the Vice-Chancellor, the royal father added: “You are the Joshua of our time. God has placed the university in your hands, and you will not fail. You have a vision, and I encourage you to pursue it diligently. Our children told us that you were the best candidate to move FUOYE and Oye-Ekiti forward. We pray that God will grant you wisdom, success, peace, and divine favour throughout your tenure.”
The monarch further assured the Vice-Chancellor of the continued support of the Oye Kingdom and appealed to him to consider residing in Oye-Ekiti. He also promised that the community would provide land should the university decide to establish a standard staff school for the children of university employees.
Oba Ademolaju, however, expressed concern over the conduct of some students, stressing the need for discipline and responsible behaviour among undergraduates.
Earlier, Professor Ogunwole thanked the royal father, the Oye-in-Council, and the entire Oye community for their unwavering support, which he described as instrumental to his emergence as Vice-Chancellor.
“I wish to sincerely appreciate Your Royal Majesty and the entire Oye community. A university cannot thrive without the support of its host community. I have continued to enjoy tremendous goodwill from Oye-Ekiti, and I do not take it for granted,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor recalled that even before his appointment, influential stakeholders from the community rallied support for his candidature.
“There was a call from the palace indicating that Oye was backing my candidature. Several stakeholders, including Senator Ayodele Arise, also played significant roles in ensuring my emergence as Vice-Chancellor,” he noted.
Professor Ogunwole reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to community development and outlined several initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of residents in FUOYE’s host communities.
According to him, elderly residents aged 70 years and above will benefit from free medical screening and treatment under the university’s community service programme.
“We want the people of Oye-Ekiti and our host communities to feel the impact of FUOYE.
Beyond education, we are committed to improving lives. Our elderly citizens will receive free medical attention, while efforts will also be made to provide boreholes in host communities to enhance access to clean water,” he stated.
The Vice-Chancellor described the warm reception accorded him and his team as a demonstration of the strong bond between the university and its host community.
“This reception gives me the assurance that Oye-Ekiti is truly home. We will continue to nurture this relationship and work together for mutual progress,” he added.
In his own contribution, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Tajudeen Opoola commended the royal father for his unwavering support for FUOYE.
He recalled the monarch’s presence at Professor Ogunwole’s inauguration and noted that the visit provided an opportunity for the new administration to formally seek royal blessings and strengthen collaboration with the host community.
Also speaking, the Oloja of Irona, High Chief Rufus Ogunyemi, appealed for sustained collaboration between the university and the host community, particularly in the area of employment opportunities for qualified graduates from Oye-Ekiti.
Similarly, the Iyaloja of Oye Local Government Area, Chief (Mrs.) Falade V. Oluremi, commended the Vice-Chancellor’s efforts to restore discipline on campus, particularly through the introduction of a dress code policy.
She urged the university management and the Dean of Student Affairs Division to intensify sensitisation programmes aimed at promoting decent dressing and responsible conduct among students within and outside the campus environment. She also volunteered to participate in awareness campaigns aimed at educating students on appropriate dressing and acceptable conduct.
As part of the visit, Professor Ogunwole paid a condolence visit to the family of the late High Chief Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, the Obalodo of Oye Kingdom, where he offered prayers and words of comfort to the bereaved family.
Other university officials present during the visit included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Joshua Omotosho; the Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim; the University Librarian, Dr. Olajide Olabode; the Senior Technical Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebola Aderibigbe; the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Babatope Babalola; the Director of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mrs. Koyejo Fasakin; the Director of Public Affairs and Communication, Dr. Sunday Saanu; and the Chief Security Officer, Rtd. Captain Raymond Bitanis.
Photo credit: Toye Fisher
