The Vice-Chancellor, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Professor Joseph Babalola Ayodele, has explained that the university under his watch will continue to strive towards achieving the number one status among other state universities in the country.
Professor Ayodele who is the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State -owned University, equally reiterated his commitment towards the six-point shared prosperity agenda of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji in ensure the success of his administration.
The Vice-Chancellor while thanking the governor for having confidence in him to run the affairs of the institution, promised that the institution, would continue to introduce more innovations and ideas that will enhance the academic standards of the university and make it rank number one in Nigeria.
The University helmsman Ayodele who spoke while receiving the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Ekiti State Council, led by its Chairman, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi promised to partner the union towards realizing the goal and contributing to the development of Ekiti.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, EKSU came first in the last ranking for State University and twelfth in Nigeria, hoping that his administration will push more to see that the university top the list in Nigeria and beyond.
Professor Ayodele hailed the NUJ for their show of support and developmental journalism initiative to the University, urged them to continue to sustain the support they gave to his predecessor.
The VC equally pledged to act on the various requests made by the NUJ within the financial regulations and capacity of the University.
His words: “The University is very ready to continue to partner with NUJ, to move this University forward and the State. We will continue to support the council.
“I will like to seek that from time to time we can rub minds together on how to move the University forward.
“We have to ensure that we continue to produce high quality, high level man power to add value to this State and to support the good and lovably initiative of our governor.
Earlier, the NUJ Chairman congratulated the V.C on his appointment as the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University while reassuring him of the commitment of the Union in projecting the image of the institution.
“We have come to assure and reassure you of our support. We are here to tell you that the council, which is the umbrella body for all Journalists working in Ekiti State are ready to project the image of this University to the world positively.
“You have extended hands of fellowship to us and it is our turn to also see how we can reciprocate this gesture.”
The Chairman went further to make few requests that will further strengthen the Union and the University towards projecting the activities of the institution to the world.
One of the major request is a partnership between the International Institute of Journalism, IIJ, and the University to enable Students’ of IIJ further their studies at EKSU through Masters Degree programs.