Professor of Crop Science, Adesola Ajayi, has taken over as the Vice Chancellor of the First Technical University, Ibadan.
The inauguration of the Igbojaiye, Oyo State-born scholar and administrator was held at the university on Monday, May 9, 2022.
The tenure of his predecessor, Professor Ayobami Salami, ended on May 8.
In his address in which he saluted Salami for having been his mentor and for having believed in him, Ajayi promised to work harder and creatively to expand the success the university had recorded.
He unfolded a mission statement targeting strategic improvement on the solid foundation laid by Salami.
He said, “The thrust of this five-year (2022-2027) mission statement is to grow the university by building on the solid foundation, the glorious beginning and the trajectory of achievements of the pioneer management of the First Technical University (Tech-U), 2017-2022. The Management did not spare effort in ensuring that the institution have the full complement of what a university should have and indeed a solid foundation was laid such that subsequent Management need only to grow and expand on the existing structures that have been established.
“There will be further infrastructural Development to expand facilities for staff and students and thereby support the attainment of the objectives of the university by Upscaling physical infrastructure and other service facilities to match evolving campus demography, adherence to the master plan while situating new buildings and landscaping; seeking funding and private sector partnerships to undertake/donate building projects across the University campus; and developing and implementing a sustainable environmental programme to maintain and further enhance the beauty of the University estate.”
The Igbojaiye, Oyo State-born scholar also promised the facilitation of ‘Tech Start-ups’ and an operational Industrial Park to make Tech-U a hub for technology incubation and innovation by encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration across faculties and Departments and institutions, organizing annual technology exhibitions; establishment of a walk-in business hub for training, research and demonstrations for students and non-students as a hub to mentor start-ups and advance ideas with commercial potential. It will also enable a learning environment steeped in innovation and characterised by discovery, collaboration, inquiry and engagement.”
At the event were many dignitaries, including Head of Service in Oyo State, Ololade Agboola; Salami,, Ajayi’s wife, Ibiyemi Salami; scholars from different parts of the country, including a former teacher of Ajayi, Professor Olu Obi; and many people from Igbojaiye.
Salami described the day as one of the happiest days of his life as, according to him, he had left the university in the hands of a worthy successor.
He said, “When we started this university, Professor Ajayi was with me. He worked 26 hours a day to see that the dream behind the university is realised. I am therefore happy that he is the one taking over, although he had to go through a keen competition to get the job. Success without a successor is a failure, that is why I am exceptionally glad to witness today’s ceremony.”
Salami solicited the support of the management and staff for Ajayi, so that there would continue to be progress.
Earlier, the Registrar, Olayinka Balogun, described the transition between Salami and Ajayi as the best Tech-U could pray for.
Balogun said in her opening remarks, “History will indeed be kind to Professor Salami and in years to come, he will be mentioned among pioneers, game changers and men who laid foundations for great and mighty things to flourish. I mean the likes of Professors Kenneth Onwuka Dike, Hezekiah Oluwasanmi and our dearly beloved Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe.
“What better confirms his sterling leadership is that a man who worked with him has been found worthy of stepping into his shoes? As you already know, the other memorable event of today is that the second Vice-Chancellor in the history of Tech-U, Professor Adesola Ajayi, will be inaugurated before our very eyes.
“There is no denying the fact that he is a scholar of genuine quality, a stickler for excellence and a first-class brain. Those who know him well enough will readily attest to his significant experience in tertiary education administration and undiluted commitment to the development of First Technical University, Ibadan.”
The Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Charles Akanbi, metaphorically situated Ajayi as having the wherewithal to nurture the virile crop that Tech-U is.
On her part, the Dean, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Professor Abiodun Salami, enjoined the Tech-U community to unite behind the new VC.
While her counterpart in Environmental Sciences, Prof. Steven Ojo, sought a glorious tenure for him, the Dean Students Affairs, Dr Caleb Aborisade, established how enthusiastic students were at Ajayi’s coming on stream.
It was with drumming and singing that the students led Ajayi to the reception held after the inauguration.
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