From Kayemo News
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal University Oye-Ekiti FUOYE, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba (SAN), has declared that the University recorded tremendous and unprecedented growth and development during the stewardship of her out-going Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
Senator Egba spoke while giving his remarks on Sunday during the Valedictory service in honour of Prof. Fasina’s meritorious service to the University. The August occasion, which held at the University’s chapel of Transformation (church), kicks off the 10th Convocation ceremonies of the University.
Speaking about what he called a transparent and transformative administration of the Vice-Chancellor, the Council chairman, who was represented by one of the external Council members, Hon (Mrs.) Nike Omowoeare, Senator Egba said :
“When he (Prof Fasina) assumed office, the varsity was faced with challenges and several accreditation issues, but with a clear focus and exemplary leadership, the VC has changed these challenges into opportunities. And he ensured an unprecedented growth in human and infrastructural projects for the University. .
“Under his watch, this varsity has seen unprecedented and tremendous development significant among which are the blue roofs buildings, students enrollment, academic and staff welfare and most importantly, appointments of more staff members. Your ability to work in harmony with Council and members of staff and others has ensured there is tremendous growth. I want to say thank you for making our job easy through transparency and accountability. It was great working with you l,” Ndoma Egba said.
Appreciating the graduands, some of whom were present at the service, he said: “Graduands, you have proved to be good examples of your parents, especially those of you who have been working for God in this church. Working for God at this stage is great.”
In a most admirable way, Hon. Omowoeare, who recalled the challenges Prof. Fasina had faced during his tenure but surmounted, gave the VC a new name, and christening him after the Council chairman, she pronounced him Victor Abayomi Sunday Fasina!. And said: “It was God that won your battle for you. We thank God for victories and we thank God that this man has finished well. You have fought a good fight and finished your race in most noble manner. Thank you for your services to the University. You have done well and we wish you well.”
Earlier, the event had featured hearty praise and worship session by the teeming crowd in attendance who comprised students, graduands, parents of graduands, Council members, friends and family of Prof. Fasina, his management team and many members of staff.The VC and his family danced profusely in appreciation to God. There was also a testimony session in which five graduands from the University gave significant testimones to appreciate God. Of significant note were the testimonies rendered by two graduands from the University’s institute of Part time studies. While the first, who said she had spent six years seeking for admission, made a 2.1, the second graduand, was grateful to God for making a first class after sitting for WAEC seven times before securing admission into the University’s Part -Time programme. Graduands who made first class were rewarded as usual, with a sum of N50,000 each as sponsored by the chairman of the chapel of Transformation, Dr. Agu.
Adding colour to the August occasion was the scintillating ministration by the choir of the chapel who comprised mainly students of the University. Their song expressed God’s faithfulness in ensuring that He takes care of those who put their trust in Him in all they do. Thus, the song echoed the VC’s testimony that God had seen him through his journey in office.
The toughing sermon by Pastor Dr Kayode Ayinde, followed the choir ministration elegantly. The cleric started on a note of celebrating the VC and his darling wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Bosede Fasina.
He also warmly recognized and celebrated the Vice-Chancellor designate, Prof. Olalekan Joshua Ogunwole, while equally congratulating all the graduands. In a sermon titled: “Time and season of life”, Pastor Ayinde harped on the need for everyone to be grateful to God and express thanksgiving at all times, especially when things turn awry. He cited several Biblical passages to expatiate his points.
His words: “Time determines season. For every individual, our life has been patterned for every time and season as Solomon, a very wise man, said. What we learn from this, is to understand that time and season control our existence in life. Each season of life gives us reason to give thanks, even if it is a season to that grieves. No one has not been a recipient of God ‘s blessings. A season like this challenges us to graduate from season of Thanksgiving to Thanks living. This is a season that you cultivate a perpetual act of giving thanks in all situation. Those who live their lives in thanksgiving always enjoy the peace of God they can never explain because God is in control. So, give thanks to God always because it is medicinal to give God thanks.Seasons of life gives us reasons to think deep. I love Bishop Oyedepo’s saying that: ” thinking prevents stinking”. Those who take time to reflect on what they are doing or going through in life, are always like a sweet smelling savour before the Lord. If anything is good, noble, of good report, think about these.
“No individual on earth has ability of perfection, but on daily basis, we think deep, reflect towards becoming perfect. If I am alive I still have the opportunity to amend my ways if not doing right and if doing right, I have a reason to continue to do it better,” the cleric said.
Speaking further, he enjoined the graduands to think deeply and use that to amend their ways if they haven’t been doing well or continue to do good things better as time and season give the opportunity.
He said: “Be sincere to yourself on daily basis. On daily basis, those I offend I ask God for mercy, those who offend me, I ask God to heal me. Our father (God) does not reject anyone one who has been lost but comes back to him. Time and season of life give us reason to stand strong for God. For one to bear fruit and continue to bear fruit, he must be able to face struggles of life. Whatever we have gone through in life must not stop us from being fruitful. God doesn’t forget those who stand for Him,” he said.
On a conclusive note, the out-going Vice-Chancellor was given an opportunity to give his testimony. He rolled severally on the church’s alter before he rendered his testimony saying he appreciated God for standing by him all through the turbulent moments during his stewardship to the University. His said: “I want to give thanks to the God Almighty for making today possible, when all the counsel of men failed, God was there for us. It can only be God. What God cannot do does not exist.
“I also want to appreciate, the Chairman of Council, he is a man God sent by grace. What no man can do, he did it. In those challenges, l saw opportunities, FUOYE grew and became the fourth most sought after University in Nigeria. My greatest joy is that I have a successor whom God has ordained for this University. And I pray that like I did succeed, he will succeed. I saw Mercy grace at play.
“There were revelations here and there. But God saw us through .I want to plead with anyone I have offended in this University. I want you to forgive me. In my speed at getting things done for the University, l.might have trampled on anyone, please forgive me. Anyone who has offended me, I have also forgiven, let us move forward in the spirit of peace.
FUOYE is destined to be great and by God’s grace, she will be great. From eight faculties to 18 faculties, and then we had 160 infrastructure projects in just five years!. It can only be God. Don’t let us take the grace and mercy of God for granted. Allow the peace of God to reign. I plead with you all, cooperate with the man who is coming after me. There is still a lot to be done. Fasina has done his part. I appreciate God for the fact that I am finishing well and strong,” he said.
The church Council presented a gift to the out-going VC on a warm note of appreciation for his milestones in office.