Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has tasked the Vice-Chancellor of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, and the institution’s governing council to work towards making the university a global leader in research, innovation, and development.
Makinde, who made the call at the university’s second Foundation Day celebration, assured that his administration would continue collaborating with the university to make it a model for others to emulate.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said his administration attached special attention to learning and would, therefore, continue to advance the educational landscape in the state.
Makinde urged the university leadership to continue raising the bar, assuring that his administration would continue to partner with the university to attain global ranking. He said: ‘’I recognise the challenges that can come with setting a university of this calibre in motion, but I assure you that our government will continue to stand by this institution, providing necessary support to overcome these challenges and achieve greater heights. I want to call on all stakeholders–staff, students, parents and the private sector to collaborate with us to make the institution a model for others to emulate.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, whose message was delivered by the coordinating director of the ministry, Mrs Christiana Bolaji, lauded the efforts of the university leadership in putting the institution on the right path.
While commending the governor for his support, the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Ayoade Ogunkunle, solicited increased funding for the school.
“I acknowledge your moral and financial support to the university; you approved the take-off grant of one billion naira for our institution, and part of the fund has been released to us. We believe that if the remaining amount is released, it will further improve the quality of infrastructure and services rendered by the university,’’ Ogunkunle said.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, stressed the need for more funding to meet its obligations.
Olaniyan noted a need for new structures, additional staff, and improved facilities as a newly upgraded institution.
Within the last year, the vice-chancellor disclosed that more than N2.5 billion had been expended on staff salaries, while a portion of the approved one billion grant for the take-off of the institution has been released.
“The university inherited the outstanding debts of about N1.8 billion incurred by the defunct College of Education. The management has started offsetting some of the debts, while the state government has also started repaying some of the outstanding salary bills. We are restructuring the university’s financial status by blocking leakages, stopping wastage and utilising a credible and transparent financial procedure,” Olaniyan stated.
