The 12th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka has been inaugurated as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the West Midlands Open University, Ibadan.
The former University of Ibadan administrator, Prof Olayinka in his Facebook post noted he was nominated by Chief Bayo Oyero, former President-General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
The Professor of Applied Geophysics in his brief remarks at the inauguration of Governing Council, thanked Proprietor/Founder and Visitor to West Midlands Open University, Ibadan His Royal Majesty Oba Murtala Adebayo Akande, MFR, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland
Prof. Olayinka appreciated the invitation extended to him and other members to serve on the Council of the new University which was licensed to operate as a pioneer private open University in Nigeria, in 2023.
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He assured His Royal Majesty that Governing Council shall put in their best in order to contribute to the sustainable growth and policy direction of the University.
” I accepted the offer as a call to national service. For one, I have always known HRM Oba Murtala Adebayo Akande, albeit at a distance, by his reputation. He is highly respected within the University of Ibadan community where I ply my trade.
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He built and operates the Adebayo Akande Hall which is an International Hall of residence on our campus. This Hall has been providing a conducive and serene accommodation for our foreign students who are registered for higher degrees of Master and Doctor of Philosophy in the Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (including Health and Agriculture), an institution established by the African Union and which the University of Ibadan hosts on behalf of the entire West African subregion.
“Moreover, I have been a University man throughout my adult life and I am ever prepared and ready to make my humble and modest contributions in any initiative that can provide education to the teeming Nigerians who seek tertiary education. God helping us, we shall excel again with this new Project. We covet the prayerful support of all and sundry to make this a reality.
“It is gratifying that ever since the license was granted by the Federal Government of Nigeria WMOUI has started to hit the ground running with regular meetings of the Board of Trustees, the appointment of Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, admission of the pioneer set of students-learners and commencement of academic activities.
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“Happily, we are now kick-starting emplacement of the Governing Council as part of efforts of the Proprietor to fortify the Governance structure in the nascent University.
“We are not under any illusion that there would be some teething problems which are usually associated with any new experiment on a very big scale such as this. In my informal discussion with both the Founder and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees just yesterday, Kabiyesi the Ekarun Olubadan, assured us that he wants WMOUI to be a legacy project that will outlive all of us. This is most re-assuring and comforting.
“I pledge on behalf of all of us on the Council that we shall leverage our varied experiences and competencies to bear in the assignment given to us by Kabiyesi. I assure you, Sir, that we shall at all times ensure good corporate governance and the highest standards of ethics and integrity. We will piggy back on your personal virtues as a highly successful lawyer, technocrat, entrepreneur, businessman and royal father.”
Other Members of the Council include the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olumide Babatope Longe; Senate Representatives, Air Commodore (Dr.) Akeem Adebomehin; Convocation Representative, Prof. Adenike Osofisan; Mrs. Bisi Asimolowo; Mrs. Deola Ajayi; NUC Representative, Dr. Ligari Gabriel Hadu, and
the University Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. Adekunle Durosinmi.
Prof. Olayinka demonstrated grasp of the responsibilities of the Council in his address.
“We will settle down to work in earnest and in this respect, we have slated an inaugural meeting of the Council to hold immediately after this ceremony. We are optimistic that with God on our side we shall deliver on our mandate”.
