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Be wary of disrupting campus peace, VC tells Union Leaders
By Adeyinka Ademuyiwa
Following threats to the peace on campus and stable academic calendar occasioned by the Congress of Monday January 13, 2020 by some non-academic staff unions of the university, the management of Federal University Oye Ekiti has cautioned union leaders to be wary of actions that can jeopardise the smooth operations of the school in 2019/2020 academic session.
Speaking on behalf of the management, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, who represented the Vice Chancellor in a responsive meeting between the management and the union leaders held hours after the Congress of Monday January 13, 2020, told the union leaders that: “Patience and understanding are two required variables to sort out things unless some of us have made up their minds to foment troubles”.
This summed up the management’s response to the four-point resolution of the Joint Action Committee 2 (JAC2) Congress of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), FUOYE branch and its counterpart, the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU).
At the Congress, held on the very first day of resumption of academic calendar for 2019/2020 session, Staff had tabled the following complaints: (a) 2019 Promotion Exercise, (b) Balance of 2016 Promotion Arrears, (c) 2019 Hazard Allowance Arrears and (d) Over time claims, before the management.
According to the resolutions which were presented in a letter dated Monday January 13, 2020, and distributed at the meeting, the union gave a 7 day ultimatum to attend to these demands, and threatened that: “we will not be able to guarantee the industrial peace currently enjoyed on campus”.
The ultimatum, according to the Union`s letter, which was co-signed by Comrade Oyelude Yekeen (SSANU Chairman), Comrade Ojumoola Ayodele (NASU Chairman), Comrade Faleye Benjamin (SSANU Secretary) and Comrade Ayeni Abraham (NASU Secretary), is to lapse on Tuesday January 21, 2020.
In a swift response however, management replied through a letter dated January 15, 2020, signed by the Acting Registrar, Mr Mufutau Ibrahim, expressing displeasure at the timing and location of the Unions’ Congress saying it does not portray the university’s good image to resuming students and parents and does not speak well of the Unions itself.
Management then addressed the four issues saying “the 2019 Promotion exercise was all inclusive as the management engaged the Union Leaders throughout the processes involved”.
“Extant practice in public service does not give room for mass promotion without recourse to individual’s performance on the job and available vacancies”, the management pointed out in response to Unions demand that all those recommended for promotion be promoted even after Council had met and concluded the matter.
Management also challenged the Unions to bring out concrete errors of the exercise promising to correct same quickly and advised individuals to write through appropriate channels, any of their grievances.
Secondly, on 2016 Promotion Arrears, “management wishes to state categorically that the Federal Government and University Governing Council have stopped payment of promotion arrears. What was paid earlier was a concession to buy peace which is not appreciated.
On the hazard allowances arrears, management noted that hazard allowances are components of Earned Allowances agreed to by the Unions and the Federal Government in 2009. Government in 2019 released funds for the payment of academic earned allowance in ratio 80:20 to ASUU and other Unions respectively. So payment of these allowances is solely the responsibility of Federal Government.
And on the fourth point, the Overtime Allowances, management rejected the idea of payment of overtime allowances for all staff, stressing that it is not practicable.
However, management had earlier constituted a Committee to look into it and come up with appropriate recommendations in line with Federal Government Regulations.
In addition, management is planning to see how those staff whose schedules warrant working late will be motivated and encouraged, adding that the Vice-Chancellor has resolved to meet with the unions on Friday January 17, 2020.
At the end, Union leaders promised to go back to the unions at the expiry of the ultimatum on Tuesday January 21, 2020 and convey management explanations to the Congress.
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) Chairman and Secretary, Comrade Abioye James and Babafemi Oluwasola respectively joined the meeting before it closes.
Civil Society Groups honour Soremekun.
By Godfrey Bakji.
An Abuja based Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) has bestowed Good Governance Excellence Award on the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Professor Kayode Soremekun on Thursday January 9, 2020 in the institution.
The Award, which is in recognition of his track records in public service and selfless service to humanity was received on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
Speaking on behalf the delegation, the National Chairman of the Coalition, Comrade Olanrewaju Peter said many Civil Societies within his coalition have kept track of the achievements of Professor Kayode Soremekun since his days in the journalism industry through to his current responsibility as Vice Chancellor where he has recorded unequaled strides.
“We know when Prof Soremekun was at The Compass Newspapers, The Guardian, The Sun. We know what he achieved. We know what he can do. We appreciate his efforts at National Open University (NOUN), at Unilag, at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), at Covenant University (CU) and now at Federal University Oye Ekiti, (FUOYE). We want to showcase him as a role model”, he further said
COCSON is coalition of over 60 Non Governmental Organisations including Centre for Sustenance of Civil Rule in Africa; Nigeria Progressive Women and Youths Development Initiative, Centre for Transparency Advocacy; Advocacy for Quality Leadership and Health Awareness Foundation; Citizen Rights for Peace and Good Leadership Initiative; Patriotic Women Foundation and many more.
According to Mr. Peter, the responsibility of Civil Societies is not only to recognize diligence and hard work or even to criticize bad leadership, but to also encourage and appreciate high performing leaders in public sphere hence the decision to single out Professor Kayode Soremekun for this distinguished Good Governance Excellence Award.
Continuing, he added that, “the unprecedented achievements of the Vice Chancellor remain a reference to other public servants and we need to encourage him not to relent even after his stewardship as Vice Chancellor at FUOYE expired
Responding, the Deputy Vice Chancellor expressed delight over this award, stressing that he is not surprise that people are recognizing the Vice-Chancellor because “our Captain has really done much for FUOYE, for academic, for education for youths of this nation and for Nigeria at large adding that all that Prof Soremekun had been able to achieve in life and as a Vice Chancellor in particular are products of prudence, hard work, team work and the courage to take the right decision against all odds.
Prof Fasina, who received the delegates in the company of the Bursar, Mrs Bolatito Rosaline Akande, the Director of Administration, Mr Olatunbosun Odusanya, the Director of Top Up and Conversion Centre, Dr A.A. Adekunle and the Deputy Director Information and Corporate Services, Mr Adeyinka Ademuyiwa further noted that, it is not often easy for civil society organizations being watch dogs of the society, to recognize diligence and hard work especially in the public service.
The VC representative was overwhelmed by the decision to honour his boss and expressed the belief that the gesture will spur Prof Soremekun to work harder saying during the administration of the Vice-Chancellor, the university, FUOYE, has moved to 13th position out of 160 universities in Nigeria in the current universities ranking in Nigeria
Prof Fasina also said, FUOYE now have eight functional faculties and a Post Graduate School and that very soon, two additional faculties will become operational while efforts to make the university a Centre of Excellence in food Security is being intensified.
FUOYE ranked 13th best University in Nigeria
Kareemah Badmus-Lawal
The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has been ranked the 13th best University in Nigeria for the year 2020-2021.
According to the National Universities Commissions (NUC) ranking list which was released in December 2019, FUOYE, as the 13th best out of 160 universities in the country outshined all universities established about the same time.
Not only that, FUOYE outshined many older universities like University of Calabar (Unical, 56th) , University of Jos, (UniJos, 16th) University of Port Harcourt, (UniPort, 20th) University of Maiduguri (UniMaid , 34th)and several States owned universities like Lagos State University (LASU, 18th) Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH, 17th), Ekiti State University (EKSU, 26th) and so on.
Also, FUOYE outshined several private universities like Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD, 38th), Lead City University, Ibadan (81st), Bowen University Iwo, (47th); Al Hikmah University, Ilorin, (30th) , Babcock University, Ilisan Remo (15th) etc.
FUOYE, which was established in 2011, also performed best among its peers like Federal University Otueke, (59th), Federal University Lokoja (74th), Federal University Kashere (99th), and others.
University of Lagos, University of Ilorin and Ahmadu Bello University were ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively and Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology was ranked 160th position.
Universities are always been ranked every year after the assessment of each University. The criteria for selection includes: being chartered, licensed or accredited by the appropriate Nigerian higher education related organization, offering at least four-year undergraduate degrees or post graduate degrees, delivering courses predominantly a traditional, face to face, non-distance education format, infrastructures and conducive environment.
Reacting, many University leaders have been congratulating the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kayode Soremekun for this wonderful achievement noting that, this is a result of years of coordinated efforts to improve and develop the University.
For instance, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof A.S Fasina said, “great news for us in FUOYE. I am excited to put in more efforts so that FUOYE can come first. Thank you sir, for this”.
The DVC (Academic) in his own reaction said, “WOW! Starting the New Year and new session on a positive note and with good news. Glory be to God. Congratulations sir and I celebrate with the entire FUOYE family”.
The Ag Registrar, Mr Mufutau Ibrahim, was brief and direct, “Glory be to God for this great achievement” while the Medical Director, Dr Musbau Olawale was even more brief but equally joyous, “Wow! Thank God sir”, he said.
Responding to this, the Vice Chancellor expressed delight over this achievement. He also, appreciated the management team and the entire University for their unflinching support which has hallmarked this achievement and promised to ensure FUOYE keeps growing.
Oyarekua replaces Bakare as Dean PG School
By Chris Ukaegbu
A new Dean has been appointed to manage the School of Postgraduate Studies of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). She is Prof Mojisola Adenike Oyarekua from the faculty of Agriculture in the university, following the appointment of Prof Rasak Bakare as a Commissioner in the cabinet of Governor Kayode Fayemi
In a letter dated January 14, 2020, conveying the approval of the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Kayode Soremekun, to the new Dean, Prof Oyarekua will be “responsible to the Vice Chancellor in supervising all postgraduate programmes of the University and providing effective academic and administrative leadership in the Postgraduate School”.
“You are also expected to be a team builder and therefore a rallying force for both academic and administrative staff and all initiatives to be undertaken by you, by ensuring their full participation”, the letter, from the Ag Registrar, Mr Mufutau Ibrahim stressed adding that she is expected to show “quality leadership, lead by example and serve as mentor” to all staff of the postgraduate school.
Similarly, another Deputy Dean for the Post Graduate School has been appointed. He is Dr Olaide S. Hammed of the Department of Physics.
According to his appointment letter, also dated January 14, 2020, from the Ag Registrar, a copy of which was made available to FUOYENews, Dr Hammed will “be responsible to the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies in supervising all postgraduate programmes of the University and providing effective academic and administrative leadership in the Postgraduate School.”
Professor Oyarekua is a graduate of University of Ibadan and a distinguished Professor of Food Science and Technology in the Faculty of Agriculture. Until recently, she was Provost, Ekiti State College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti. She is a proven administrator and a consummate writer. She has won many academic laurels and Fellow of many institutes and bodies, both locally and internationally.
On his part, the new Deputy Dean of School of Postgraduate Studies, Dr Hammed, is a Senior Lecturer and Head, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science in this university. He is a graduate of the University of Ibadan and had been in the employment of FUOYE since 2015. He is member of many academic and professional bodies and has served in many administrative positions in FUOYE.
FUOYEJET invites articles for coming editions
The Editorial Board of Federal University Oye Ekiti Journal of Engineering and Technology (FUOYEJET) has written to request for manuscripts for publication in the coming editions of the Journal in March and September 2020.
According to a memo from the Managing Editor of the journal Dr I.A Adeyanju, dated December 20, 2019, a copy of which was made available to FUOYENews, academia in the field of Engineering and Technology across the country, West Africa, Africa and beyond are encouraged to send in articles.
“Kindly encourage your friends home and especially abroad (West Africa, Africa and beyond) to submit their manuscripts for review towards the next two issues to be published at the end of March and September 2020 respectively” he said. He also referred readers to current articles in the September 2019 edition which he said is available at http://engineering.fuoye.edu.ng/journal.
The Managing Editor further expressed gratitude to partners of the Journal who, in the past, had in one way or the other assisted, adding that: “We are grateful to God, the University Management, the ICT unit, the Faculty of Engineering Board, Advisory Board members, reviewers, authors with affiliations across 26 institutions/agencies in Nigeria and 3 other countries – United Kingdom, South Africa and Ivory coast”.
Dr. Adeyanju also invites feedback on published articles from the current or previous editions of the journal which according to him, are available at http://engineering.fuoye.edu.ng/journal
Fasina makes wearing of ID card compulsory in Ikole.
By Bunmi Dada
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Professor A. S. Fasina, has directed all staff and students of Ikole Campus of the university to always put on their identity cards while on campus.
In a memo from his office addressed to all staff, a copy of which is available to FUOYENews, it is now an offence for any staff or student to be seen on Ikole campus without the official University identity card, effective Monday, January 13, 2020.
Prof Fasina gave this directive at a stakeholders meeting of all heads of departments and units in the Ikole Campus of the University. The meeting, which was held in his Conference Room recently resolved that every staff and student must wear their Identify card while on campus.
Enforcement of this order after the commencement date will attract severe sanctions against any who would violate it.
Though the memo was silent on the reason behind the resuscitation of this policy, informed observers saw this policy as being consistent with the common corporate practices and the need to be sensitive to security matters.
For the records, there are presently two faculties in Ikole Campus; Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Engineering. Other Faculties are in view. There are some other departments and Units there also like Medical Centre, Research Farm, Bursary, Audit, etc.
It should be that this is not the first time this issue of wearing of ID card is attracting management attention. At the height of insecurity and threats of attacks by hoodlums on our high institutions some years back, the need for proper identification gave rise to the directive that all staff and students must wear their official means of identification while on Campus. However, improved security situation relaxed continued enforcement of the order.
DLI’s staff for Commonwealth sponsored meeting in Abuja
Three members of staff of the Federal University Oye Ekiti’s Distant Learning Institute (FUOYE-DLI) were at a meeting of Regional Training and Research for Open and Distant Learning (RETRIDOL), an organ of Commonwealth of Learning, at Abuja on Thursday January 16 to Friday January 17, 2020
According to a memo dated January 14, 2020, written to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kayode Soremekun, a copy of which is available to FUOYENews,all the three went on Commonwealth of Learning sponsorship.
The Vice-Chancellor has approved their travelling plans and report of their activities at the meeting will be published when they arrive
Follow due process to access imprest, Usman counsels unit heads
By Kareemah Badmus-Lawal
The Deputy Director for Internal Audit at Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Mr S.O. Usman has stressed the need to observe prescribed procedures in accessing imprest fund for proper record and financial control.
Mr Usman, in a memo dated December 20, 2019 to all departmental heads, added that failure to retire initial imprest appropriately by end of a financial year, that is December 31st, may mean denial from getting another one in the new year until the proper retirement is done.
He listed the conditions thus: (a) All imprest holders should endeavour to procure Imprest Register for the recording of their imprest transactions saying it has been observed that people are confused about use of the term Retirement as Reimbursement; (b) All memos requesting for Imprest in January of every year should be titled “Initial Imprest Request” subsequently and every Imprest during the year should read Imprest Reimbursement till December when it will read Imprest Retirement.
The Auditor further said that, “Henceforth, Imprest Retirement is only for December which is the end of financial year” and that “Any Faculty, Department or Unit that fails to retire their initial imprest by the end of financial year i.e. December 31st will not be able to access new Imprest until initial imprest is retired”.
“All concerned parties’ cooperation in this regard is highly necessary”, he added.
FUOYE releases new academic calendar
By Kareemah Badmus-Lawal
The 2019/2020 provisional academic calendar has been released.
According to the release, from the Office of the Registrar, the first Semester which commences from Monday January 13, 2020 will last for 19 weeks to end on Saturday June 13, 2020.
Similarly, the second Semester which will start on Monday June 29, 2020 following about two weeks break, will last for seventeen weeks to end on Thursday November 26, 2020.
Details of the event show that resumption, screening and registration of fresh student will last for Two weeks Monday 13 – Friday January 24, 2020. While, late registration of fresh students will be between Monday, January 27 and Monday, February 3, 2020, First Semester lectures will start on February 10 for returning Students. Late payment of school fees will attract additional #5,000 from February 17 -24, 2020.
Matriculation of new students is on Friday March 20, 2020 and by May 25, 2020 all students will start first semester examinations.
Furthermore, second Semester lectures begin for all students on Monday June 29, 2020 and registration will last for one week (Monday June 29 – Monday July 26, 2020) while Students Union Week will be between Monday August 10 and Friday 14, August 2020. Also, lectures end on Friday October 2, 2020 and revision starts on Monday October 5, through Friday October, 2020.
Finally, the second semester examination begins on Monday October 12 and ends on Saturday October 31, 2020. While the 2019/2020 academic session ends on Thursday November 26,2020 the 2020/2021 academic session will start January4, 2021.
Ojokheta delivers 483rd Inaugural Lecture at U.I
The Dean faculty of Education, Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) Prof Kester Osegha Ojokheta in slated to deliver the 483rd Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan on Thursday 6, February 2020 at the Trenched Hall by 5:00pm.
According to the invitation card for the occasion a copy of which was made available to FUOYENews, Prof Ojokheta will speak to the topic, “promote it and the dividends shall manifest”
Friends of the Dean and other association are encouraged to be there.
FUOYE signs MoU with Federal Polytechnic Ilaro
By Godfrey Bakji
The management of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Federal Polytechnic Ilaro for the adoption of the former’s Top Up and Conversion Programme, on Thursday January 16, 2020 in the Vice-Chancellor Conference Room. The programme aims at helping Higher National Diploma holders undergo more training to get a degree.
While welcoming his guests, the Vice chancellor of FUOYE Professor Kayode Soremekun described the collaboration as very important. He said the institution derive for such collaborations was part of its community service to bridge the gap between University and Polytechnic education in the country.
The Vice-Chancellor also said he was particularly delighted with the visiting team with what he described as a positive chemistry going in the administration of the Polytechnic where a former Rector of the institution Dr. R.A Oloyo operates as Director of Linkages and Collaboration. A circumstance he described as very rare which if emulated across the country will surely bring positive change in the education sector. Adding his institution strives to be in charge assuring FUOYE will never fail the collaborating institution, asserting the program will be a win-win for the two institutions.
Speaking further, the Vice- Chancellor revealed that FUOYE has witnessed exponential growth under his stewardship which earned the institution 13th position out of 160 public and private Universities operating in the country. “This growth the Vice-Chancellor can also be replicated in the Polytechnic through collaborations such as this”, he stressed.
Leading the delegates from Federal Polytechnic Ilaro is the Institution`s Rector, Dr. Olusegun Aluko who also expressed delight with the collaboration assuring also that his institution is ready to play its part to ensure the success of the progamme.
Other dignitaries who spoke at event include FUOYE Director of Top Up and Conversion Programme, Dr A.A Adekunle who hinted that the collaboration has already taken off on a sound ground because 200 candidates already have purchased forms for the programme with more hoping to enroll.
He appreciated the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Soremekun for creating an enabling environment for the successes recorded on the programme since commencement.
The signing of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro MoU brings to six the numbers of institutions in partnership with FUOYE for its Top Up and Conversion Programme. Others who have already signed are the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Best Solutions Polytechnic, Akure, Lagos Polytechnic, Ikorodu and the Polytechnic, Ibadan and two others.
Nearly 500 students jostle for admission into FUOYE Law programme
By Godfrey Bakji and Bunmi Dada
Four hundred and ninety eight (498) candidates have subscribed for admission into the newly approved law programme of the Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) for the year 2019/2020 academic session.
This was disclosed to FUOYENews by Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) of the university, Mr Adeboyejo Moses Adeyinka in a message on Wednesday January 8, 2020.
Responding to questions from FUOYENews, Mr Adeboyejo said, “Thank you sir….We received 498 applications…”
In his own reaction, the Dean, Faculty of Law, Professor Andrew Adetokunbo Borokini, whose faculty is the beneficiary of the screening, noted that: these 500 students would have been denied admissions but for the doggedness of the management who offered this opportunity.
Prof Borokini, was at the Prometric Centre, the venue for computer based test (CBT) organized for the candidates to supervise proceedings, said about fifty (50) of the candidates will be offered admission.
The Dean further said that only candidates who sat for the last Joint Admission Matriculation Board Examination and scored a minimum of 230 points were eligible to seek for the admission.
On the modalities for selecting the fifty (50) candidates, the Dean assured that merit will strictly be adhered to by the admission committee. He also revealed that candidates’ JAMB’s score, Ordinary level results from West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or National Examinations Council (NECO) and the score of the computer based test will be used to select qualified candidates.
It would be recalled that the National University Commission (NUC) had earlier approved the law programme for the university since last year after a thorough resource verification exercise.
Akande is FUOYE’s new Bursar
This is to announce the appointment of Mrs. Bolatito Roseline Akande as the Second Substantive Bursar of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) following the University Governing Council’s decision of December 19, 2019 at its 18th Statutory Meeting.
According to a letter dated December 31, 2019 to the new financial czar, by the Acting Registrar who took minutes of the Council, Mr Muftau Ibrahim, “the appointment is for a single term of five (5) years with effect from January 6, 2020”.
The letter of appointment reads in part: “The terms and conditions of service, including remunerations and fringe benefits shall be as approved for the Bursar of Federal Universities in Nigeria”. It also reminded her that she will be responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for the day-to-day administration of all financial activities of the University.
It will be recalled that Mrs Akande, who is a member of fourteen (14) professional and accounting bodies including Association of Forensic Accountants of Nigeria (AFAR), Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX), International Professional Managers Association (IPMA) (UK), International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professional (IICFIP) among others was employed as Deputy Bursar of this University sometimes in June 2016.
She became Acting Bursar in September 2017 when the then Bursar Alhaji Bashir Oyeniyi Badmus passed on in office.
By this appointment, Mrs Akande, who holds two Masters of Science degrees in Accounting from Afe Babalola University (2017-2019) and European American University, Commonwealth Dominica in 2011-2013, edged out twenty six (26) other candidates including Substantive Bursars of Federal Universities in Nigeria.
Born on July 2, 1970 in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, and married with three children, the new Bursar began her education at Saint Mary Catholic School and Sacred Heart Convent School both at Ibadan for Primary School Education before proceeding to Federal Government College, Ogbomosho for her Secondary Education, where she made credits in 8 subjects including English and Mathematics.
The financial guru of today cut her teeth in accounting at Lagos State Polytechnic and Yaba College of Technology for foundational Diplomas in Accounting and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) for Masters in Business Administration before M.Sc. Accounting in two Prestigious Schools earlier mentioned. She speaks English and Yoruba very fluently and has authored three academic papers apart from exposures to thirty one (31) local and overseas seminars and workshops.
Mrs Akande has served within twenty one (21) committees of this University prior to her appointment and received University commendation “on diligence and professionalism in the discharge of her responsibilities and ensuring adequate accountability and for display of high level of competence and commitment in the service of the University. She had earlier bagged similar commendation at National Open University (NOUN) twice.
It is this varied experience and wide exposure of the new Bursar that FUOYE hopes to enjoy in the years ahead. Congrats to all.
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