By Aliyu Oyewole
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved a two-year extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye.
Adeleke announced the extension on Monday during the inauguration of the reconstituted Governing Council of the university at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo.
According to the university, the governor said the decision was taken in the interest of the institution, particularly to strengthen its governance structure, ensure continuity and prevent any leadership vacuum that could disrupt its administration and operations.
Adeleke disclosed that Adebooye had initially declined the offer to continue in office but later accepted the extension.
The governor also retained Professor Adewale Abiodun Oladipo as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, citing his experience and understanding of the university system.
Other members inaugurated into the reconstituted council include Gbadegesin Lawal, Lateef Olalekan Olayanju, Akinola Franklin Omoniyi, Chief Funminiyi Awotide, Orija Samuel Adebayo, Adewale Adetayo Bola and Olawale Oludayo Abolade.
Addressing the council members, Adeleke urged them to discharge their responsibilities with humility, integrity, courage and commitment to the public interest.
He also charged the council and university management to work harmoniously, warning that they must not operate as competing centres of authority.
The governor described UNIOSUN as one of the enduring investments of the people of Osun State, noting that its academic and research activities contribute to the economic, social and intellectual development of the state and Nigeria.
The Pro-Chancellor, Oladipo, thanked the governor for retaining him and pledged that the reconstituted council would build on the achievements recorded by the previous council.
In his remarks, Adebooye expressed appreciation to the governor, members of the State Executive Council and the newly inaugurated governing council.
He pledged that the university management would continue to work with the council and other stakeholders to sustain the institution’s growth and strengthen its position among leading universities in Africa and beyond.
The development comes amid UNIOSUN’s recent academic growth, with the university reporting that it has risen to 19th among Nigerian universities and third among state-owned universities
