TASUED VC Extols Outgoing Governing Council As Historic Tenure Meritoriously Ends

The Vice-Chancellor, TAI SOLARIN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, TASUED, Ijagun, Prof. Samuel Oladipo, MNPA, CMCPN, MCAN, FIELPN, has commended the outgoing 4th Governing Council of the institution for its dedication, visionary leadership, and unwavering stewardship during a critical period of institutional transition.

He gave the commendation at a farewell dinner and appreciation night organised recently by the University Management to honour the Council members.

The Vice-Chancellor described the occasion as a celebration of selfless service, sacrifice, and significant infrastructural and governance development.

“I want to specially extol the virtues of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Rahmon Adisa Bello, FAEng, for his firmness, fairness, and deep commitment to the institution's progress,” Prof. Oladipo noted.

He further added that as a former Vice-Chancellor of the UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, Prof. Bello provided a strong bridge between Council and Management, guiding the University through complex policy decisions with exceptional wisdom.

The Vice-Chancellor gave an assurance that the Management under his stewardship would preserve and build upon the Council's legacies, emphasising that institutional development is a relay race where the Council played its part valiantly and handed over a significantly stronger University.

Reflecting on the Council's tenure, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised their strategic role in navigating the historic transition of TASUED into a full-fledged Federal University, laying an unshakeable foundation for sustainable growth, academic stability, and improved governance.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, and Chairman of the Organising Committee for the send-off, Prof. Rotimi Ettu, described the occasion as significant, commending the outgoing Governing Council for its remarkable leadership and contributions to the University over the past four years. He noted that the Council had played a historic role in guiding the institution through a major transition, particularly highlighting its role in transforming the University from a state-owned institution into a Federal University.

Describing the members as worthy leaders whose contributions would remain an important part of the University’s history, he expressed hope that the institution would be fortunate to have another group of leaders of similar quality, as he welcomed all guests to the celebration.

In his valedictory address, the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Rahmon Adisa Bello, expressed profound gratitude to the Executive Governor of OGUN STATE, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, CON; the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, as well as the University Management, Senate, staff, and students for their unalloyed cooperation throughout their tenure.

Prof. Bello proudly disclosed that through strategic resource management and pragmatic compromise, the Council resolved lingering financial challenges, completed all inherited TETFUND projects on campus, and achieved a 100% project execution record with zero abandoned projects upon departure.

He further commended Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a member of the Council, for his key legal guidance, providing pro bono legal services and ensuring that the University recorded no legal infractions or court cases throughout its four-year tenure.

The farewell reception witnessed moving tributes from representative groups across the University community.

The external Council members, namely Prof. Osipitan and Prof. Adewale Solarin, commended the extraordinary camaraderie and intellectual depth of the Council, emphasising that TASUED stands out globally as a unique academic family, while noting that internal representatives with labour union backgrounds actively drove solutions and maintained peaceful industrial relations.

The Representative of the Alumni Association on the Council, Dr. Abdullah Oyekanmi, praised the Council for elevating the image, prestige, and credibility of TASUED, stating that the Council is leaving the institution far better than they met it and giving the Alumni a sense of class, direction, and national respect.

Staff Unions and congregation representatives further appreciated the Council for addressing staff welfare, resolving salary arrears, and fostering an environment where no staff petitions were recorded against Management throughout the four-year tenure.

The Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mr. Dapo Oke, FCIA, expressed profound appreciation to the outgoing Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, members of the Governing Council, and other Principal officers for their contributions to the development of the University. He particularly commended the Pro-Chancellor for instilling discipline, thorough preparation, due process, and strict adherence to regulations in the conduct of Council business, noting that these experiences had significantly strengthened the capacity of the University’s management.

He further acknowledged the individual contributions of Council members, describing the outgoing Council as a well-balanced and highly effective team that provided sound governance and added significant value to the institution.

The Registrar further appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and other members of the University community for their support, while welcoming those who would remain to guide the institution pending the constitution of a new Council. He described the outgoing Council as a carefully constituted team whose members worked cooperatively for the advancement of the University and expressed optimism that the next Governing Council would maintain the same standard.

As a parting charge, the Pro-Chancellor challenged the Vice-Chancellor, University Librarian, and Senate to aggressively boost TASUED’s international ranking and web visibility by prominently featuring all Colleges' publications, CVs, and institutional achievements online.

The celebratory evening concluded with formal toasts, the presentation of commemorative gifts to the Pro-Chancellor and Council members, and prayers for their continued success in service to the nation.

In attendance at the dinner were the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Banjo; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Adekunle Adeogun; the Bursar, Mr. Kabir Ogunneye, FCA; the University Librarian, Prof. Adebambo Oduwole; the Provost, Postgraduate College; Deans of Colleges; Directors of Centres; Deputy Registrars; Deputy Bursars; and Campus-based Union Leaders; College Officers, amongst others.