Serving and former principal officers of tertiary institutions across the country and in the diaspora will on Thursday this week grace the farewell programme in honour of the outgoing Registrar of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Dr. Hakeem ‘Bola Adekola.
Also expected are families, friends, associates, kinsmen and well wishers from all walks of life.
CompassNG scooped from impeccable source that both old and new members of Dr. Adekola’s Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities, ARNU, have confirmed their participation by turning out massively for the send-forth of their immediate past Secretary-General.
The memory of the indelible hosting of ARNU Annual General Meeting and Conference hosted by FUNAAB, through Dr. Adekola’s influence still lingers, as the hosting is generally adjudged by members as one of the best in the history of the association.
Members recollect how Dr. Adekola single-handedly brought Ogun State deputy governor, Engnr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele to the AGM.
Alhaja Salako-Oyedele, who physically graced the AGM added colour and value to it.
Also expected at the send-forth are Dr. adekola’s kinsmen from the Ijebu dynasty, especially his in-law from the famous and sprawling Balogun Dodondawa dynasty.
Also expected are academic and non- academic staff of Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, where the celebrant cut his teeth as registry top notch.
ComoassNG reports that Dr. Adekola is very passionate about FUNAAB such that a first time caller is most likely to see him as a full fledge member of the university.
Of note is the infectious way Dr. Adekola usually renders FUNAAB anthem off hand at university functions.
Also worthy of recall is the flawless way he conducted elections into the university’s Congregation, among others.
Dr. Adekola is a skill to behold on the pitch of play as his deft touch, clinical finishing and gangling strike made him the ‘nightmare’ of FUNAAB Female Football Team at a recent match.
Meanwhile, the Mr.Bayo Ogundimu-led Planning Committee has been working frantically round the clock and as such, is leaving no stone unturned to make the valedictory in honour of the outgoing FUNAAB Registrar grand and unprecedented in the annals of the history of the Registry facet of the university.
Ogundimu who is bringing to bear his professional wizardry as the immediate past Registrar of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Ogun State, as well as his embodiment of administrative clout and acumen to bear on the organisation of the send-forth is an epoch-making occasion and remains the talk of the campus for many years to come.
Checks at FUNAAB’s Directorate of Public Relations revealed that the occasion is tilting and inching towards renewing and strengthening the robust rapport and symbiotic relationship between FUNAAB and OOU, as many staffers of the latter, based on special invitation, have signified their intention to massively attend the send-forth of their ‘Ambassador Plenipotentiary.’
The excitement among members of staff of FUNAAB, is at fever-pitch, especially staff under the fledging umbrella of ANUPA, to add colour to the occasion, leaving on it trail the cacophony and staccato of high level preparations to set the campus agog with gong of celebration galore.
The decision to celebrate the outgoing Registrar, according to observers of the Registrar ditto the Registry might not be unconnected with the monumental innovations that he brought to bear largely on the university registry.
Dr. Adekola, who is reputed to be and appelated by his teeming admirers on campus as “Mr.Fix It” has cut an enviable niche of providing solutions to knotty issues in the Registry since he assumed office.
Others warmed up to him as a good mixer, an unrepentant welfarist, an astute administrator and an unassuming jolly fellow, among others.
Meanwhile, the MmOgundimu-led Planning Committee has reeled out activities marking the farewell programme in honour of Dr. Adekola.
Ogundimu confirmed that the programme will hold on Thursday, September 21, 2023, beginning with the inspection of Guard of Honour mounted for Dr. Adekola by FUNAAB’s Students’ Paramilitary Club at the basement of Senate Chamber by 10 a m.
Interactions with the press will hold immediately after the inspection of Guard of Honour while a colloquium with the theme,: ‘Prisms of University Leadership: Dr.Hakeem ‘Bola Adekola As Focus,’ will hold at the New Senate Chamber after the interaction with the press.
FUNNAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, will lead members of the university community to the occasion in the company of Principal Officers, Deans, HoDs, Directors and Union Leaders, academic and non-teaching staff in general.
