* COUNCIL APPROVALS WILL ACCELERATE VARSITY GROWTH – VC
By John Odunayo
THE foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of Fasina Conference Centre being undertaken by the Advancement Center of the Federal University Oye Ekiti was yet another time for stock taking and unveiling of plans for further development of the institution.
The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, who the Advancement Centre named the conference centre after; top officials and personnel of the university; and staff of the directorate led by the Director, Prof. Olubukola Oyawoye, who is the Chairman of the Fasina Conference Center Committee.
The VC, Fasina, who thanked Oyawoye for the great work she and her team are doing, said that Advancement Centre was crucial in the development of universities, as he recalled achievements when he (VC) was at the Advancement Centre of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.
He said, “Honestly, I want to thank the committee members. What she (Oyawoye) is doing was like what I did in EKSU a few years ago. We had a fantastic team of myself and others, we turned around the advancement center of that university and raked in a lot of millions. I tell people that with God’s permission you don’t need anybody’s permission.
“For me, it’s a landmark achievement that we are witnessing today and it’s an opportunity for us to see what we can do. Every day, I am always looking for ways to expand this university, this is a step in the direction”.
The VC, who said that the newly constituted FUOYE Governing Council, at its maiden sitting, gave numerous approvals that would accelerate the university’s development. The approvals included building of Staff Quarters to be after Prof. Fasina and 25-year development plan of the university.
Fasina said, “In the next few months, the Post Graduate School will be ready by God’s grace, the Social Science Building will be ready by either November or December. So in February, we’re going to inaugurate a lot of projects on this campus during our convocation ceremony including this one. Also, we’re having a Smart Virtual ICT Center, so that anywhere you are on the campus, you can browse. These are part of what we’re doing right now”.
He disclosed that some roads being constructed by his administration would be named after past VCs of the Ivory tower such as Prof. Kayode Soremekun, Prof. Isaac Asuzu and Prof. Chinedu Nebo in appreciation of their contributions to the growth of the institution.
The VC, who said that the state government had approved the construction of Oye – Are Road, added, “We have opened Phase 4. A road will go from the student village to link to that gate that will link Oye – Are Road.
“So I want to thank you, Madam, for this opportunity and I want to say that we will support you. I will bring my friends to support you. I want to also extend it to other members of staff to please support her, not because it’s Fasina’s Conference, but the fact that it belongs to the university”.
Fasina, who expressed satisfaction with Oyawoye’s activities since her assumption of office, said, “I want to say Madam I’m very impressed and it’s a landmark achievement that will be written in gold. You have done this, nobody can take it away from you”.
Earlier in her opening address, the Director of the Advancement Centre, Prof Oyawoye, said that construction of the Fasina Conference Centre was at no cost to the university, hence appeals for support.
She said, “I wish to specifically state that Endowment funds have been raised by the Advancement Centre. However, the funds raised by the Centre have been used for this purpose. Therefore, this project is being constructed at no cost to the University and as such, we are raising funds in our capacity to bring the building to bear.
“On this note, we use this medium to solicit your support in kind. However, in a quest to ensure completion of the construction of this project in time, we have several engagements with potential donors who promised to support us financially,” the director said.
Oyawoye, who outlined the achievements of the Advancement Centre in the last 12 months with her in the saddle, assured, “Many more achievements are on the way as this foundation laying is a testament to the encouragement and support of the VC and his team.
“In the same vein, we wish to also inform you that we are ambitious and innovative as we are proposing a Fasina Recreation Centre (FRC) to be constructed here. We have enough space to accommodate
the project.
“Students and staff will find the Recreation Centre useful as it will be a place where they can relax and exercise their body with domestic games such as Table Tennis, Snooker games, Ludo games, Draft games, Ayo Olopon games and many more.
“Consequently, you may wish to also note that within the space of 12 months of activities in the Directorate, the Advancement Centre has received two commendation letters on different occasions from the University Management as a reward for hard work and commitment toward the development of the University,” she said.
Prof. Oyawoye, who lauded staff of the Advancement Centre for their cooperation and support, listed achievements in the last one year under her to include:
* Restructuring of the Advancement Centre to accommodate two units;
* Organization of a day workshop, titled: Commitment to University Advancement;
* Constitution of the University Advancement Board (UAB);
* Launching of 36 refrigerators donated by the FUOYE Alumni Association;
* Establishment of Career Service Unit;
* Decoration of the Vice Chancellor as our No. 1 Advancement Vanguard;
* N50 billion Endowment Fundraising during the 8th convocation of the University;
* Launching of the Endowment Brochure which contained all items/structures needed by the University;
* Invitation and appreciation letters were forwarded to over 58 dignitaries for the Endowment Fundraising Event;
* Nomination of dignitaries for Awards during the 8th Convocation
Marketing of Advancement products during the exhibition week;
* Inauguration of the Alumni Building by the Vice Chancellor
Allocation of space at the Freedom Park for marketing and showcasing of advancement products;
* Interactive Session with the Alumni association during convocation week;
* Compilation and Production of the fourth (4th) edition of the Alumni Compendium;
* Advancement Centre Secured N1million Scholarship Fund for FUOYE Indigent Students from DIG Adeoye Adedayo Rtd;
* Similarly, the Advancement Centre also Secured a donation of N10million from Dr Roland Otaru (SAN) through the Dean of Law, Prof. Abifarin;
* EDUTECHMENT Programme coming up during the 9th Convocation of the University;
* Procured new office items/equipment worth N30million for the Career Service Unit to kick start;
* Installation of solar street light at the Alumni Building to light up the environment at night;
* Every Monday nugget to ginger both staff and students; and
* Meeting with Council Chairman and members on enhancing and development of the University.
Prof. Oyewoye added, “And here we come, the foundation laying of construction of Fasina’s Conference Centre project. God wins!!!”
