By Adeyinka Adeniran
The new Vice-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, Prof Ebunoluwa Oduwole has assured that under her watch, the institution will exhibit zero tolerance for cultist, sexual harassment, bullying among other vices both among the staff and students of the institution.
This is as she also promised to lead by example, foster cooperation of all the university stakeholders to improve productivity and maturity and driving the institution to another height of reckoning among other institutions of higher learning in the country and beyond.
Prof Oduwole gave the assurance while delivering her address shortly after she was robbed and presented with the instrument of office as the 5th and first female Vice-Chancellor of the faith based university.
The welcome service and inauguration ceremony which at the Crowther hall of the institution had in attendance the Most Rev’d Ephraim Ademowo, the Chairman, Supra West, Bishop of Ibadan Diocese and Visitor to the Institution, Most Rev’d Joseph Akinfenwa, the Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Dr. Williams Aladekugbe, Bishop Theologian and former Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Dapo Asaju, Bishop of the Diocese of Remo and the Archbishop of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, Dr. Michael Fape, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Dr Olutoyin Okeowo, members of the Senate and top management staff among others.
Speaking, the new VC saluted the efforts of her predecessors in office, particularly their efforts at helping the institution carve a niche for herself as a foremost faith based institution in the country and beyond.
Presenting her ten points agenda wgich will leverage on seven core values aimed at driving innovation in the institution, Professor Oduwole harped on the place of prayers, teamwork, dedication, loyalty, integrity, honesty accountability, innovation, due process among other core values she will be banking on.
She promised to ensure transparency and accountability while also upholding the university committeee system with assurance of efficient democrayisation process.
While also emphasising the place of spirituality and ethics, she said academic matters will also get attention with an assurance of commencing the ACU open and distance learning programs.
She said, “We will strategically promote innovation, research and technology. We will institute ACU research while also showcasing Ajayi Crowther from various anglss: spiritual, physical, financial, economic, philosophical among other areas to be explored.
“We will create new financial models to improve ACU revenue generational and funding, we will introduce endowment foundations across all faculties and programmes.”
She assured that she will ensure that the institution will attract and retain highly reapurcesful and qualified staff as parts of improving staff welfare whole also ensuring that efforts is made to build more ICT facilities to enhance the existing ones.
She appeal to all the stakeholders including the governing council, parents, donors, Alumni Association for support and encouragement, as she begins her tenure, assuring that she will work with all of then to achieve result.
Delivering his sermon at the service, Bishop Fape who spoke on the theme: “No one can receive anything event he is given by God”, with reference from John 3: 25-27 urged the new VC to bring out what God’s has deposited in her to add value to ACU.
He said the institution has been placed on sound footing but requires the hand of someone who can take it further, commending those who had served in the steering the ship of the University since it’s inauguration.
He urged her to seek wisdom of God noting that ACU is not just one of those universities but a unique one at that.
“You need to ask God for wisdom because you really need wisdom to succeed. Ajayi Crowther University is not just one of those University, you have a great task ahead of you.
“Knowing you as a goal-getter amd someone who drives result, trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will help you.
“You nust remember regularly that you are a steward in this university, you will give account of what you have done with the leadership of Ajayi Crowther that you have been entrusted with.
“There are two things that cannot go round all Professors. Not all Profeaaors will give inaugural lecture and not all of thwn will become a Vice-Chancellor. Be faithful , be contention, cautious, fruitful, act with integrity.
“Getting the job is not enough but fulfilling on the mandate given. We are optimistic that based on your integrity, you will perform. You are a started of God’s venture, which is ACU. The post of Vice-Chancellor is not that of a sole administrator but you work with others to achieve result. Pray that as the tenure is inaugurated, God will raise for the new VC, from among all the stakeholders , those who will help you acualise your destiny.”
