- Veers into Agric ventures to boost IGR
- Executes 156 legacy projects
- Plans independent power generation
A total of 8,444 students will receive degrees, including those from undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes at a weeklong 9th convocation ceremonies of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).which began on Monday.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina made this known at a pre-convocation press conference, which held on the main campus at Oye-Ekiti, Monday.
He said out of the figure, 177 of the graduating students would bag First Class Honours, at the grand finale of the events, coming up on Saturday.
In the same vein, honorary degrees (Honoris Causa) will be confered on four eminent Nigerians, who had made their marks, in different fields of endeavours.
” These individuals represent the values we hold dear at FUOYE: integrity, excellence, and service to humanity”, he said .
He gave names of the honoris to include; Sen.Kanu Agabi, (SAN), former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, (SAN), former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Segun Alebiosu, Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria, and Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air peace Airline.
He said FUOYE under him, had executed a total of 156 legacy projects, to improve quality of life, studies and research in the institutions, while also diversifying into other extra activities and ventures, including farming.
Fasina said the initiative was not just about enhancing FUOYE’s financial sustainability, but also contributing to national food security and economic development of the state and country.
” To date, we have cultivated 15 hectares of oil palm, 10 hectares of cassava, and 5 hectares of pineapple, and we are exploring further agricultural ventures.”, he said .
He said another ambitious project is to soon introduce the One-Day Vice-Chancellor Initiative, which will offer students the unique opportunity to step into the role of Vice-Chancellor for a day, explaining that the initiative would foster leadership skills, mentorship, and the development of a new generation of leaders, capable of shaping Nigeria’s future.
Besides, he revealed that the university was currently exploring the development of a Renewable Independent Power Station, to help secure reliable, sustainable energy for the institution.
” This partnership with private energy companies is an essential step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of our operations, especially as we continue to expand”, the VC added.
FUOYE, he said, was poised for greater success in the coming years, and committed to deepening research impact, expanding infrastructure, and providing students with the best possible academic experience.
He said a new Strategic Plan (2021-2026) had been developed, and designed, to guide the university through the next phase of growth.
According to him, the strategic plan, includes a comprehensive 25-year framework for the future of FUOYE, which would position it as a leading university in Africa.
He said management would continue to invest in cutting-edge technology, foster international partnerships, and ensure that FUOYE graduates are equipped, to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his steadfast support of FUOYE, as well as for the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and TETFUND interventions, while also thanking Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, for his ongoing partnership.
The Vice Chancellor thanked the institution’s Senate, Management, staff, students, and all other stakeholders, whose dedication and hard work had been instrumental in advancing FUOYE’s mission, especially in the areas of scholarship, sports and academic laurels, won at competitions, both in Nigeria and abroad.
” The success of FUOYE is a collective achievement, and I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished together”, he said.