Given the ability and integrity of the members of the newly appointed Governing Council of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Governor of Ekiti State Biodun Oyebanji has promised that the university will soon undergo extraordinary institutional improvements.
Oyebanji, who emphasised the need for all university stakeholders to work together to chart a course forward and pull the university out of trouble, asked for a multifaceted strategy to handle the myriad issues the institution is now dealing with.
While speaking in Ado Ekiti and welcoming members of the EKSU Alumni Association and Alumni Board of Trustees, the governor promised that he would communicate with alumni members in the National Assembly to see what they could do to invest in the university by starting projects that would enliven the institution.
He said, “EKSU will definitely rise again, we will reclaim the lost glory, support will surely come, but there are some conditions to be met, I believe that there must be institutional reforms, the process must be there before we put resources.
“I’m an Ambassador of the alumni association and I know that we have history to judge us, if we don’t do it now, we don’t know when an alumnus will be the governor again, so we will do everything humanly possible to ensure that we don’t disappoint you.
“We have come to a point whereby we need a conclave of council, alumni association, BOT, government, the unions, parents and teachers to sit down and agree on an acceptable plan for that university.
“All stakeholders must be on the table and we must adopt a resolution with a clear timeline on what we are supposed to do. The government will take its own responsibilities, management will take its own. Whatever is referred to me as a government, I will do. If we don’t do that, we will be jumping on the same spot,” the governor said.
The Global President of the Alumni Association, Dipo Bamisaye and the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr Wale Jegede, who assured Oyebanji of their solidarity for him and his administration, said it was the first time an alumnus of the school would occupy the highest position in the state.
They assured the governor that the association would continue to evolve ways and strategies to give back to their alma mater and contribute to its development.
Also at the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Bamidele Agbede; Special Adviser, Education, Science and Technology, Dr Bimpe Aderiye; Special Adviser, Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Tola Adeola; and Special Adviser, Media, Yinka Oyebode.
