I’m leaving EKSU better than I met it – Outgoing VC Olanipekun
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The outgoing Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU) Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Edward Olanipekun, has said that he is leaving the university better than he met it when he assumed office five years ago.
He also said that the recent promotion of 70 academic staff to professors, 60 to associate professors and some in the non-teaching sector that were also elevated, was not a parting gift, but that they all earned their promotion.
Olanipekun who is spending a single tenure of five years will be exiting office as the Vice Chancellor of the institution on Monday, August 19.
Olanipekun made the remarks when he was fielding questions from newsmen at a press conference heralding the activities to mark the end of his tenure, held at the university campus on Tuesday, In Ado-Ekiti.
Olanipekun said, “During the last convocation when I was given my convocation address, I did say loud and clear that I am leaving Ekiti State University far better than where it was on August 20, 2019.
“You will also recall that when the Visitor to the university, the Governor of the state, stood up to give his address the first thing he said was Mr Vice Chancellor, I concur with your statement that you are leaving EKSU far better than you met it.
” We have compiled in a compendium the modest achievements we are able to make in the last sixty months. The compendium is a voluminous document and it is still under processing and I have pleaded with the Head, Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs, to ensure that it is delivered before the end of this week.”
Justifying the recent promotion of 70 staff to professors and others, was not a parting gift, he said, ” As to whether the harvest of promotion of 70 staff to professors, 60 readers, including a deputy librarian and also the elevation of some non- teaching staff, including my Head.of the Directorate of Corporate Affairs to Deputy Registrar, was a parting gift, it was not a parting gift. They all earned the elevation.
” For the professors and even readers, the promotion is consequent on receiving at least two positive reports from external assessors. That is why their promotions will not come at once. And why we had such a large number was that it actually comprised not only those who were due for promotion in that particular review year, it also included those whose cases were pending, so we had promotions for two annual review years and then alongside some outstanding cases.
” It wasn’t a parting gift because we have statutory periods that Appointment and Promotion Committee meets. so, I congratulation all of them.
” Even as I speak, we have some reports that are also ready, but I have decided that I will allow the incoming Vice Chancellor to process and handle that. I hope that by the time he is holding the first senate and promotion meeting, he will announce the promotion of some professors ”
Commenting on the issue of student loan, the VC hailed President Bola Tinubu for the initiative, saying, it was a welcome development.
” The issue of the student.loan is a welcome development and our students in EKSU have been enlisted and what we are doing at the moment is to vet the list of the enrollees to ensure that the particulars provided are correct.
“Of course, it is going to have a great impact particularly when you consider the indigent students. Most of our students here in EKSU are indigenes. Infact, many of them are sponsoring themselves by embarking on all sorts of jobs, even menial jobs . Some of them are okada riders, some engage in other things that do not befit the status of university students.
“With the coming on board of the students loan, I am optimistic that these indigent students will be very happy that finally, help has come their way and then they can focus on their studies.
“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for bringing on board that noble initiative.”
