Why I extended UNIOSUN VC’s tenure by two years — Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has explained that he approved a two-year extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Prof. Clement Adebooye, to strengthen the university’s governance and ensure administrative continuity.

Adeleke disclosed this on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Governing Council of the university at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo.

The governor said Adebooye had initially rejected the extension before eventually accepting to continue in office.

According to Adeleke, retaining the Vice-Chancellor was considered necessary to avoid an administrative vacuum and maintain stability in the management of the university.

He also retained Prof. Adewale Oladipo as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, pointing to his experience and familiarity with the university system.

The other members inaugurated into the reconstituted council are Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal, Alhaji Lateef Olalekan Olayanju, Mr Akinola Franklin Omoniyi, Chief Funminiyi Awotide, Mr Orija Samuel Adebayo, Mrs Adewale Adetayo Bola and Mrs Olawale Oludayo Abolade.

While addressing the council members, Adeleke charged them to approach their responsibilities with humility, integrity, courage and a strong commitment to the public interest.

He said, “I charge you to work harmoniously with the Vice-Chancellor and management, stressing that the governing council and management should not operate as competing centres of authority.”

The governor stressed that the council and university management must operate within the provisions of the law and maintain mutual respect in pursuing the institution’s development.

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Adeleke described UNIOSUN as “one of the enduring investments of the people of Osun State”, noting that its academic and research activities contribute to the economic, social and intellectual development of both Osun State and Nigeria.

Oladipo, who previously chaired the dissolved council, thanked the governor for retaining him, attributing the decision to the achievements recorded by the former council.

He said the reconstituted council would consolidate the progress already made and pursue further development of the university.

In his remarks, Adebooye expressed appreciation to Adeleke, members of the State Executive Council and the newly inaugurated council for attending the ceremony.

The Vice-Chancellor pledged that the university management would continue to collaborate with the council and other stakeholders to sustain UNIOSUN’s growth and advance its ambition of becoming one of Africa’s leading universities.