FOR the out-going Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), it is 'mission accomplished.' As he prepares to conduct his last convocation as the helmsman of the institution on Saturday, and then take a final bow, Balogun says he is fulfilled, having set in motion, a machinery, which he believes, would make the institution the nation's number one in the near future.Speaking to journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State recently, on how the university had fared in the last five years, Balogun explained that despite a major slash in the federal allocation to the institution, various projects have nevertheless been executed at the cost of N8 billion.He explained: 'After 2007, we had been battling before we could get 70 per cent of what has been approved. Full implementation of capital grant stopped with (Former President Olusegun) Obasanjo's administration. From that period, most of the projects that we have embarked on were completed through internally generated revenue. I can say that out of the N8 billion total cost, more than 40 per cent came through the university's extra earnings.'The institution's achievements in this regard, he declared, were made possible by what he described as a perfect harmonization of the federal government's annual capital project allocation, the annual intervention of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the University's Internally Generated Revenue, and the endowments from philanthropists.He affirmed that despite the fact that full release of federal capital grants to the institution stopped with Obasanjo's administration, his determination to turn the institution around led to diversification, which brought about extra earnings with which several projects were embarked upon.But of all the over 100 projects, Balogun revealed that the Institute for Human Resources Development (INHURD), which runs pre-degree and part-time programmes remains dear to his heart. His words: 'Developing human resources for the community and the nation is our priority. A university that is not responsive to the problems of its immediate community is not worthy of existence. It was based on this, that INHURD was created two years ago to assist the state's indigenes and other Nigerians, who may not be able to meet the requirements of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB). The institute runs pre-degree programme, matured and part- time programme'.'Opportunity is given to those who had diploma in the last 10 to 15 years, but who, due to certain reasons, could not continue. Also, those with the Higher National Diploma (HND) and could not move above a particular position, I want to see them becoming Permanent Secretaries. So, we decided that as long as they have been in the services in agricultural sector in the last 10 to 15 years, we audit some courses for them, and rather than spend five years, they will spend three years and once you make it, your status will change immediately and you can be appointed to whatever level'.The Vice Chancellor also explained that 40 per cent of the admission quota is given to students from INHURD, having gone through the FUNAAB foundation programme at the pre-degree level, so long as they meet the required standard.On the idea behind the magnificent Unity Building on the campus, Balogun explained: 'In 2007 when I came in, I met a factionalised university, riddled with all sorts of ethnic, social and financial crises; lack of cooperation between the two major groups that matter most in the university - the academic and non-academic staff.'From the building's design, only professors and the academic group occupied 99.9 per cent of the available space, leaving others clamped into one room, and making them feel inferior, which I do not subscribe to. Everybody has his or her own role to play in a university, whether academic or non-academic.'So, I conceptualised the issue of a Unity Building, to accommodate every segment of university staff, working under the same roof, to promote connectivity and eliminate complexity. A wing was built by the university and our amiable former Speaker, Bankole donated the other wing.'On why the school's basic tuition fee is between N16, 000 for returning students and N25,000 for fresh students, Balogun said the university would not engage in any enterprise that will deprive the children of the poor access to education. According to him, with the necessary initiatives, the institution can generate needed funds. To that extent, he advised that the appointment of Vice Chancellors should always be devoid of political, social, ethnic and religious sentiments.On sustenance of his vision, Balogun said the University's governing council has set up a committee, which identified and endorsed 20 areas, which, if the successive administration cannot add to, should not be touched. 'So it becomes an impeachable offence to touch those areas,' he assured. He also advised his successor to be humble, strive to carry everybody along and most importantly, bury all sentiments.The Director of Physical Planning, Mr. B Ayodele, said although, the Federal Government has given the institution licence to diversify, over 50 per cent of the 10,200 hectares of the land would still be devoted to agricultural purposes, because 'that is our first and major concentration'.During a facility tour of the institution led by principal and project officers, a team of journalists observed a beautified main gate, improved infrastructural facilities well laid out in an impressive topography and a good network of roads. A female hostel with 576 bed spaces, a 3000-seater auditorium and a veterinary teaching hospital were also among the physical structures noticed.Besides, other observed projects include: construction of FUNAAB staff Nursery and Primary School, the International School, Zoological Garden, 3000-capacity poultry building, earth roads network for the farm centre, well-equipped 500 seating capacity computer laboratory and 2000 seating capacity lecture theatre.The Vice Chancellor designate, Prof. Olusola Bandele Oyewole, who was also part of the tour, said the new look of the institution and its infrastructural development were the effort and impact of the current administration, as 'all these structures including the acquisition of a 500 KVA generator, came into existence within the last two years of the Balogun administration'.
Click here to read full news..
