Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, gave Chidi Awuse, the new chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University in Ogbomoso, an order on Friday to enhance the university’s standards to that of a world-class institution.
WITHIN NIGERIA reports that the state executive council appointed Awuse as the institution’s new chancellor on April 5, 2023, making him the first non-indigenous person to hold the position. The supreme head of state in River State’s Emoha kingdom is Awuse.
During his investiture as the sixth Chancellor of the university, Makinde gave this advice at the LAUTECH Senate building in Ogbomoso.
Makinde, whose message was delivered by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, said, “A Chancellor is expected to have an enthusiasm for the development and advancement of the university, he must be willing and have the ability to commit the necessary time and energy to development and advancement of the university.
“A chancellor must be ready and able to share the university’s values, vision, goals, and ambitions as well as have an affinity for its work. He must be able to recognize and celebrate the importance of higher education. He must be a highly respected individual, with a positive public profile that resonates with students, staff and alumni.”
He further admonished him to demonstrate excellence in his professional life, capable of inspiring a diverse range of audiences.
Earlier, Awuse commended the governor for honouring him with such office and dedicated his latest chancellorship status to the people of Emohua kingdom and the entire people of Rivers State.
He said, “This honour will not be taken for granted, as our determination to add value to the vision of the founders shall know no bounds, reading through the history of this university that has consistently won and consolidated itself as the best state university and best university of technology in Nigeria.
“I have realised that you have had five chancellors in the past and all of them are great Nigerians, from Moshood Abiola, Chris Ogunbanjo, Kayode Esho, to Bola Tinubu, these are first-grade and world-class people,” he said.
Dignitaries at the investiture programme were the Pro-Chancellor of the university, who also doubles as the Chairman, Governing Council; Ayodeji Omole, acting Vice- Chancellor, Mojeed Liasu; the state Commissioner for Works, Infrastructure and Transports, Daud Sangodoyin; former state deputy governors, Taofik Arapaja and Hammed Gbadamosi, among others.