By Tunde Oso

THE newly-appointed Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE, Engr. Olukayode Ojo has promised to ensure the university becomes a globally recognised institution of learning.

Ojo, alongside other members, who was in the school on a three-day working visit for inspection of projects and familiarization tour of the Oye and Ikole Ekiti campuses of the school, said he was impressed with what he saw on the ground.

Describing FUOYE as an institution with potential for greatness, he commended school management for sustaining the Federal Government’s vision in establishing the university.

He said: “This institution is very important. With the student population and the fact that this is one of the most subscribed by prospective JAMB candidates, it is obvious that the facilities here presently are below fifty per cent of the required infrastructure for such growth. We need government intervention immediately and we will do everything humanly possible and within the prism of law to attract government attention.

“We are very optimistic that we will get a lot of support from different agencies of government and other well-meaning people so that we can meet up rapidly with the infrastructural needs of the university. These facilities are needed so that the students can be well-prepared for the future. As you are aware, this institution has multiple campuses. So we are going to make a case that the university be treated as such.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Abayomi Fasina, said his management team was elated to receive the chairman and other council members.

Speaking to Journalists on the sideline of the visit, Prof. Fasina stated that the management of the school has, so far, touched all aspects of the university positively starting from academics to farming activities.

He said: “We now have 16 hectares of palm trees and pineapple which is one way to support the Federal Government on food security. Of course, we also use it as training for our students. We have also built several classrooms, at least more than 40 as I speak. We have changed the face of the university which is why I am not surprised that the university is ranked 4th most subscribed in Nigeria. The courses are available, the qualities of our lecturers are good and we have a stable calendar. Looking at all parameters, you know the FUOYE is growing and will continue to grow. You will recall that eight of our students recently passed ICAN at the 300 level and six of them got scholarships from degree to PhD level in a foreign university. If they are not good, they won’t be achieving these feats.”