TASUED Vice-Chancellor Commends Outgoing Governing Council as 4th Council Ends Tenure

The Vice-Chancellor of 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.

Prof. Oladipo gave the commendation at a farewell dinner and appreciation night organised by the University Management to honour members of the outgoing Governing Council.

The Vice-Chancellor described the occasion as a celebration of selfless service, sacrifice, as well as significant infrastructural and governance development recorded during the Council’s tenure.

He particularly commended the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Rahmon Adisa Bello, FAEng, for his firmness, fairness and deep commitment to the progress of the institution.

Prof. Oladipo noted that as a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Bello provided a strong bridge between the Governing Council and University Management, guiding the institution through complex policy decisions with exceptional wisdom.

The Vice-Chancellor assured the gathering that the Management under his leadership would preserve and build upon the legacies of the outgoing Council. He emphasised that institutional development is a relay race, noting that the Council had played its part valiantly and handed over a significantly stronger university.

Reflecting on the Council’s tenure, Prof. Oladipo highlighted its strategic role in navigating the historic transition of TASUED into a full-fledged Federal University, laying a strong 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 and commended the outgoing Governing Council for its remarkable leadership and contributions to the university over the past four years.

Prof. Ettu noted that the Council played a historic role in guiding the institution through a major transition, particularly its transformation from a state-owned institution into a Federal University.

Describing the Council 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, while welcoming guests to the celebration.

In his valedictory address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, 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; the University Management; Senate; staff; and students for their unalloyed cooperation throughout the Council’s tenure.

Prof. Bello 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 per cent project execution record, with zero abandoned projects at the end of its tenure.

He also commended Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and member of the Council, for his key legal guidance, including the provision of pro bono legal services, which he said helped ensure that the university recorded no legal infractions or court cases throughout the Council’s four-year tenure.

The farewell reception featured moving tributes from various representative groups across the university community.

The external Council members, Prof. Osipitan and Prof. Adewale Solarin, commended the extraordinary camaraderie and intellectual depth of the Council. They emphasised that TASUED stands out globally as a unique academic family, while noting that internal representatives with labour union backgrounds actively contributed to finding solutions and maintaining 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.

Dr Oyekanmi stated that the Council was leaving the institution significantly better than it met it, while giving the Alumni Association a greater sense of class, direction and national respect.

Staff unions and congregation representatives also appreciated the Council for addressing staff welfare, resolving salary arrears and fostering an environment in which 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 Prof. Bello for instilling discipline, thorough preparation, due process and strict adherence to regulations in the conduct of Council business, noting that the experience had significantly strengthened the capacity of the university’s Management.

The Registrar also 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.

He 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.

Mr Oke 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, Prof. Bello challenged the Vice-Chancellor, University Librarian and Senate to aggressively improve TASUED’s international ranking and web visibility by prominently featuring the publications, curricula vitae and institutional achievements of all Colleges online.

The celebratory evening concluded with formal toasts, the presentation of commemorative gifts to the Pro-Chancellor and Council members, as well as 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; Campus-based Union Leaders; College Officers; among others.