The Governing Council of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has lauded the Governor of the State, Mr Gboyega Oyetola for the autonomy given them to run the institution without interference.
The Council attributed the achievements made since the establishment of the institution to the free-hand given to transform the citadel of knowledge and turn it into a world-class university.
This was even as Governor Oyetola named a prominent road leading from the University Gate to the Chief Tunde Ponle Drive intersect after the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali.
The leadership of the council stated these on Sunday at the Government House, Osogbo, during a courtesy visit preceding the institution’s 9th convocation ceremonies.
The Council, led by the Pro-Chancellor, Mallam Yusuf Ali, said the administration of Governor Oyetola had contributed significantly to the upliftment of the institution.
Ali, who described Governor Oyetola as unrepentant lover of education, said the government’s intervention in the last two years had contributed greatly to the actualisation of the collective goal of advancing the university.
He lauded the State government for prioritising education and making it the bedrock of socio-economic development.
“Let me start by the way of appreciating your Excellency for creating an enabling environment for the leadership of the institution to operate. You have indeed demonstrated the rare leadership qualities as a Visitor of the institution.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I must also appreciate you for giving us the autonomy to operate. This has in no measure given us the required freedom to properly run the affairs of the institution without any form of interference.
“We equally commend you for your largeness of heart in reappointing us for another four years after the first term. We thank you for reposing confidence in us. You have decided to invest faith in us and we pledge not to disappoint you and your government”, Ali said.
In his response, the Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, expressed satisfaction in the way the university is being run by its leadership.
He said members of the institution’s Governing Council have proven to be the most diligent and capable hands to reposition the university and uplift the standard and quality of teaching and learning.
He added: “I am particularly delighted to see the brand new Governing Council of the university serving a new term. This is possible because to us, we believe that one doesn’t need to change a winning team. That is why we reappointed you.
“I commend the Vice Chancellor for taking the university far and we are happy to see that the university is among the top rating institutions and one of the best citadels of knowledge in Nigeria and beyond.
“For this singular reason, I have the privilege to name a prominent road leading from the University Gate to the Chief Tunde Ponle Drive intersect, after the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN).
“This is in appreciation of his commitment to the growth and development of the institution as displayed in the prudent management of the finances of the institution.
“As a government, we are satisfied with the quality of teaching and the caliber of people that made up the Governing Council.”
Governor Oyetola who used the visit to renew his administration’s commitment to quality, qualitative and functional education, said no effort would be spared in taking the university to enviable heights.
He applauded the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Folorunso Alakija, for her immense contributions to turning around the fortunes of the institution.
Oyetola who described the support received from the university’s Chancellor as wholesome and unprecedented, said the government and the people of the State would forever be grateful to the Alakija family for donating a world-class Teaching Hospital to the university.
Accordingto him, the establishment of the hospital would go a long way to boost the quality of teaching and learning, most importantly medicine and other related courses, thus placing the institution to the world map.
