By Nudoiba Ojen
The Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, has said that his university is determined to be part of the solution to the hunger problem in Nigeria.
Agboola said that OOU is focusing on achieving food security and sufficiency in line with the ISEYA agenda of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration.
Prof. Agboola, who spoke in his office in a chat with journalists, called on the state Ministry of Agriculture to provide land for staff and students to engage in active farming, noting that the students’ curriculum emphasizes agricultural production.
He said that the university is well-positioned and ready to contribute its quota toward addressing hunger in the country.
The VC said: “We want to key into agriculture. We want to be a part of those who will solve the problem of hunger, and I know that the governor, being the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and being at the forefront of the issue, is passionate about agriculture.”
He noted that, as places with the largest concentration of youths, higher institutions in the state could play a vital role in driving the agricultural programme of the government.
Agboola also stated that peace and tranquility are now the hallmarks of the institution, as cases of cultism and unrest have been addressed.
He said that the school management has developed a conflict-solving mechanism that ensures lasting peace on campus, adding that students generally are not violent if they are treated fairly by their management.
The VC said, “Because of what we have been able to do, cultism has been reduced to a zero level here. What we did was simple; we have a counseling unit, and our students are always engaged.
“I have discovered that students are not violent most of the time. It is because of the attitude of staff toward them. If you oppress students, they will find a way to react negatively. So, as of today, I can say that 90 per cent of my students have access to me. They can talk to me any time.
“We also make sure that we take care of their interests. We discuss them more often at the Senate, and they see that objectivity is present in what we are doing. So when students see that we take care of their interests, hardly will you see them become violent.”
Other measures put in place to ensure peace on campus, according to him, include the installation of Closed-Circuit Cameras, screening of people entering the campus at the gate, and the introduction of biometric identity cards.
Prof. Agboola, speaking on the incessant strikes by lecturers in the country, noted that union members on campuses are not unreasonable, as they are composed of highly intellectual individuals who always want to engage authorities in meaningful discussions when they are agitated.
“If you put a round peg in a round hole, I don’t think the unions will always go on strike. If someone who understands them and what they are talking about is in charge, they can reason together.
“What I see in academia is that they will not agree with someone suppressing their opinions, no matter how highly placed that person is. But if you appoint someone they can reason with, like a professor who is one of them, they will go along,” he added.
He stated that the cordial relationship between the management, staff and students of OOU has led to the stability of the academic calendar, allowing students to complete their programs on time.
