The Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Prof. Kayode Thadius Ijadunola has been formally inaugurated as the 4th substantive Vice-Chancellor at a ceremony that pulled egg-heads from across Ivory-Towers.
This was contained in a statement by the University’s Head of Public Relations, Mr, Williams Olufunmi.
Performing the ceremony, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the University, Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro charged the new Vice-Chancellor on the need for the University to continue to thrive, innovate, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of the students, staff, and communities as well as the founder who has spared no resources towards building an excellent citadel of learning.
He urged members of the academic community to rally behind the Vice-Chancellor with full support by working together to realize the vision and mission goals of Elizade University.
While congratulating Professor Ijadunola for the well-deserved appointment, Bamiro affirmed the readiness of the Board of Trustees, the Governing Council, and the entire Elizade University community to uphold the highest standards of academic excellence, foster a culture of inclusivity and diversity and strengthen the University position as it transforms to a service-intensive institution in facing the challenges of the socio-economic development of the Nigerian nation-state, through the performance of the well-established functions of teaching, research and community service.
Describing the occasion as very significant not only for Elizade but for the entire academic community it serves, he noted that the landscape of higher education is ever-evolving, and it is essential that the operators remain agile, adaptable, and forward-thinking.
Bamiro, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan posited that the view of Universities as “Organised anarchies” with multiple, ambiguous, and conflicting goals is indeed the institutional complexity of Universities which must be recognized as such by those involved with providing leadership in their management, most especially the Vice-Chancellor.
He said this calls for interpersonal relationships, based on mutual respect.
In his inaugural speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ijadunola noted that his vision tallies with that of Elizade University which seeks to produce internationally competitive academic products premiered on the foundation of academic excellence, diligent scholarship, and entrepreneurial orientation.
He assured that his administration will provide exemplary leadership in strength and character that will galvanize Elizade University to purposeful action, as well as the pinnacle of growth and development.
Ijadunola said his administration will hold dear and reward the core values of hard- work, meritocracy, fairness, integrity, accountability, and the fear of God while also demanding responsible conduct, truthfulness, transparency, and accountability from stakeholders, especially staff and students.
He sought the co-operation of everyone in doing right at all times as he promised to lead Elizade University to a refined social order to uphold values, guard interests, deliver selfless service, and keep hazards at bay.
Registrar of the University, Mr. Omololu Adegbenro said the search for a new Vice-Chancellor was rigorous and thorough.
He said Prof. Ijadunola came out top among 21 candidates, adding that the new Vice-Chancellor parades impeccable records of outstanding brilliance and merits needed for transformation.
Ijadunola is a Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine.
Born in 1965, he is the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Ilesha, and former Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
A renowned Scholar and accomplished Physician, his research work and service in Nigeria gave birth to the first ever Nigerian/West African taught course in Population and Reproductive Health Training.
He has won numerous prestigious scholarships, fellowships, and research grants from around the world including Johns Hopkins University, Harvard; The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation among several others.
