AAUA Holds Post-Confab Reception for VC
• Prof. Mimiko Donates Allowance to Indigent Students Scholarship Scheme
• Promises More Welfare Packages for Students
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, on Monday last week, held a reception in honour of its Vice Chancellor, Professor Femi Mimiko, who just returned to his turf as Vice Chancellor from the four-month National Conference at Abuja.
Prof. Mimiko, who was received by members of the University Community at a colourful ceremony which started from the University main gate, inspected a guard of honour mounted by the University’s Nigerian Army Cadet Corps and the Man O’ War, before he was ushered to the Council Chamber venue of the reception, by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, other Principal Officers of the University, Professor, Deans of Faculty, Heads of Department, senior officers of the University and a teeming army of students.
Prof. Mimiko is the only serving Vice Chancellor delegate to the Confab.
In his speech, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, who held the fort for four months, welcomed and congratulated the VC on behalf of the entire University Community on his successful participation in the Confab and his safe return home.
The DVC described Prof. Mimiko as a highly resourceful academic leader and an astute administrator “that is full of innovative ideas and a painstaking listener.”
Prof. Ajayi noted that Prof. Mimiko did not only do the University proud at the Confab, but also represented Ondo State well and served the country diligently and patriotically. He expressed the hope that the Conference recommendations, when adopted, would help to reshape the country for the better.
He thanked the VC for the confidence reposed in him to hold the fort, adding, “Let me particularly thank the Vice Chancellor for not leaving me alone in the saddle as he was always providing the needed guidance for me whenever I asked for it even from Abuja.”
The DVC appreciated the staff and students of the University for their demonstration of love and acceptance to the VC by turning out en-masse to welcome him back to campus.
He specially thanked the Vice Chancellor's wife, Abosede, for her prayers, support and encouragement for the VC, saying, “Behind every successful man is a woman of substance.”
Prof. Ajayi also thanked the Visitor to the University and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, for the robust support the University enjoyed from him during the period.
Some members of the University Community, who spoke at the occasion, commended the robust and meaningful contributions of the Vice Chancellor at the Confab and noted that the initiative of the Vice Chancellor to have institutionalized the structures of the University through policy and regulatory books kept it (AAUA) running smoothly throughout the four months.
Responding, Prof. Mimiko, who was obviously delighted at the warm reception, thanked the DVC for holding the fort successful and tenaciously and appreciated other Principal Officers, all staff and students of the University for the support and cooperation.
The VC highlighted some of the core recommendations of the Confab and said the University would create a platform on which the take-homes from the National Conference would be discussed.
As a demonstration of his avowed belief that education should be for all, background notwithstanding, Prof. Mimiko announced the donation of part of his allowance from the Conference to the University’s Scholarship Scheme for indigent students.
The VC said, “There is a particular programme that is so dear to my heart. I know that there are so many indigent students on our campus. Under the University Advancement Office, we had thought of floating a Scholarship Scheme into which we will put funds from everywhere. And I can see that in the future the funds will be so big that every student that has the need will be able to draw from. I had decided before I left Abuja to donate part of my allowance into the Scheme’s account as a seed fund to support indigent students of AAUA.”
Prof. Mimiko expressed delight that the students were going about their activities smoothly, adding, “It is good that staff and students have kept the Campus clean and green. I give kudos to all on this!”
The VC advised the students, especially their leaders, to always appreciate the critical place of leadership and have the courage to make hard choices that would define their future for good.
He said, “At all times, leaders must consider the wider implications of all their actions and what all of these mean for their constituents. Your mission should be how to contribute to the stability of your University. It was not for nothing that AAUA was rated the Best State University in Nigeria in 2013.”
Prof. Mimiko promised that the University would further pay attention to issues that are of critical importance to students.
On the notorious power challenge ravaging Akungba community where a huge population of students is resident and other student-related issues, the Vice Chancellor said, “We would seek ways of working with the community to intervene in the electricity situation in town. We would keep upgrading our infrastructure. As a matter of fact, we may be able to have a few more classrooms for use during the upcoming Semester examinations. On transportation, we may be able to deploy a few more tricycles to ease movement around the Campus.
“We are going to explore the possibility of constructing a number of Bus/Relaxation Centres on the road to the Umaru Yar’Ardua LT. We are also recruiting more medical doctors at the health centre to reduce waiting time for staff and students.”
The regent of Akungba, Princess Toyin Omosowon also graced the reception.
My Tenure Ends January 4, I Am Eager to Return to Class, Says AAUA VC
Contrary to widespread speculations of possible extension of his tenure as Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, Professor Femi Mimiko, on Monday last week, disclosed that he would not stay in office beyond January 4, 2015.
Prof. Mimiko made the disclosure at the post-confab reception held in his honour by the University.
Prof. Mimiko, who appreciated those clamouring for extension of his tenure because of their conviction that he had done well, however, stated the reasons why such a call was out of place.
He said, “First, there is the need to protect the legal framework for the appointment and tenure of Vice Chancellors as laid out in our laws. Second, we must seek to nurture institutions rather than individuals. Third, for those who are persuaded that I should stay on because I had done well, the truth is that they wouldn’t have had an idea of my own modest capacity if I hadn’t been allowed to serve as VC because somebody had to be kept on for doing good job.
“Fourth, there is no end to the work of a University, indeed of any organization. So, even if you give me 10 more years, there would always be something still asking to be done at the end of the 10th year. Fifth, what I had was a five-year plan for the University, which I sold to the Council/Senate Selection Committee at the interview sessions it had with all the candidates in late 2009. That is the programme I have tried to implement assiduously since January 4, 2010 when I resumed as VC. I did not and still do not have plan for a sixth or seventh year.
“Sixth, and perhaps most importantly, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I just want to move on! My tenure ends on January 4, and under no circumstances am I going to be on this seat on January 5, 2015. I am eager to return to class.”
Prof. Mimiko urged the University Community to trust God to get the right person to take over the administration of AAUA after him.
Again, Faculty of Science Wins VC’s Cup
• As Faculties of Arts, SOMASA, Others Shine in Athletics
For a fourth record time and third consecutive time, the Faculty of Science, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, on Tuesday last week won the Soccer Competition of University’s 7th Annual Inter-Faculty competition, tagged, “Vice Chancellor’s Cup”.
Faculty of Science defeated Faculty of Social & Management Sciences 2-0 on a penalty shootout after the regulation time ended in a one-all draw.
Faculty of Education had, on Thursday penultimate week, in a third-place match, beaten Faculty of Arts 1-0.
Meanwhile, Faculty of Arts topped the Medals Table in open races of the competition, having won one Gold, one Silver and two Bronze Medals. Faculty of Science was placed second with one Gold and two Silver Medals.
Faculty of Social and Management Sciences also earned one Gold and two Bronze medals to occupy third position. Faculty Law got the fourth position with one Gold Medal, while Faculty of Education struggled to grab just one Silver Medal to settle for the fifth position.
Corporate gift items were presented to the Faculties of Science, Social and Management Sciences, Education, winners of the open races; and officiating officers, while the trophy was presented to the Faculty of Science by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko.
The University Librarian, Mr. William Akinfolarin and some Top Officers of the University were the dignitaries at the 1,000-capcity Sports Pavilion of the University, which was filled to capacity.
Ondo CP Visits AAUA, Commends Varsity’s Cooperation
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, Isaac Eke, on Wednesday last week, paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, Prof. Femi Mimiko, in his office.
Accompanied by some police czars in the State, including the newly-deployed DPO of Akungba Division, Mr. Femi Joseph Femi, Mr. Eke, who said the Command had begun a familiarization tour of the State since two weeks ago, commended the tremendous support being given to the police, especially, the Akungba Division.
He said, “I am happy with the report on cooperation and support of this University to the police. And I am aware of the existing good relationship.
Mr. Eke assured that the police would continue to do everything possible to curb cultism and other criminal activities in the State.
The Police boss also commended the Management for transforming the University to a modern University.
Responding, Prof. Mimiko, on behalf of the University Community, thanked the Commissioner and his entourage for the visit.
He appreciated the police for doing a great job for the country and expressed the hope that the University would enjoy more robust relationship with the police, especially the Akungba Division.
The VC said, “Whatever thing we need to do as an Institution to make the police system here more effective, the DPO should count on us. We will bend over backward to do such so as to sustain the peace in and around the University Community. We will do everything possible to deepen our relationship with you.”
Prof. Mimiko urged the new DPO to build good relationship with the students such that they could relate with the police easily.
