Take a fresh look at your lifestyle.

FUOYE staff, colleagues, friends fete Fasina at 60

By Wole Balogun

It was pomp at the weekend as excited members of staff of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE,) celebrated their Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, at his home on the occasion of his 60 birthday anniversary.

They were also joined by friends, colleagues and other well-wishers of the Vice Chancellor from far and near.

A crowd of both academic and non-academic staff members trooped into the residence of the Vice Chancellor in  Bawa area of Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, to express their love, passion and great respect to their God-sent VC who they confessed, has taken their welfare and well-being to be his utmost priority.

From the least in rank to the professors and the principal officers of the upwardly mobile citadel of learning, staff of the institution poured encomiums on their number one staff member and chief servant in appreciation to the heavens for sparing his life up to a diamond age.

They equally had a hilarious moment throughout the event as one of them, a shining one, Barr. and Engr. Debo Sobowale dished out a scintillating performance as the Master of Ceremony (MC) of the birthday bash. Dr. Sobowale almost cracked the ribs of many in attendance with his very funny jokes while he compeered the event.

The Master of Ceremony started on a note of eulogies for the VC by declaring that Prof. Fasina has become an enigma and an academic cum administrative icon who has produced not less than 17 Professors and has impacted greatly on several Institutions where he served as an administrator during his over 40 years’ career as a lecturer.

This was followed by a deluge of praises, expressions of hearty gratitude and countless recalls of nostalgic moments that many shared with the birthday boy. And they jointly revealed that meeting Prof. Fasina was the best thing to have happened to them in life as he made the encounter a turning point for fulfilling their God given destines.

READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2021/07/19/nans-congratulates-sanwo-olu-for-winning-vanguard-newspapers-personality-of-the-year-award/

Dr. Asogwa Chika, Acting Dean, Faculty of social sciences, who prayed for the continued success of the VC, simply described him as a ‘God-sent’ to FUOYE and a very caring, loving, selfless and hard working man who has already  accomplished over 80 percent of his five year manifestoes as VC.

Prof Pius A . Aye of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) said, “Prof. Fasina is my mentor. He made me what I am today and I am very grateful to him. When you see him, you have seen a God-sent to you because he doesn’t hide his feelings. And when he is pursuing your case, he does it to a logical conclusion. ”

While corroborating Prof Puis, Prof. Ayodeji Salami, also of EKSU, said: “One thing I would like to say is that Prof. Fasina is very hard working, he bulldozes you when you stand in his way.”

Prof. Folu Osundare, a childhood friend of the VC who addressed him simply as Fash, has this to say: “Fash knows how to get what he wants. He is kind and very passionate and loves people around him to progress. At his instrumentality, I am now at EKSU. Anywhere he sees his friend, they remain his and he never looks down on them.”

Prof. Fakayode, also from EKSU describes the VC this: “Whatever he says is what he means . This is why we so much believe in him. Today he has made the Faculty of Agriculture to be a great one in EKSU. You have raised leaders and you are raising more leaders, there are more leaders to lead this country here. Don’t give up, tough times don’t last, tough people do.”

Others from EKSU who equally poured encomiums on Prof. Fasina included Prof. (Mrs.) Ajayi, an ex-VC, Dr. Toluwase, and Dr. Oluwatusi Femi. One of them moved the attendees to tears of admiration for Fasina when he recalled that the VC paid his doctoral degree school fees and nurtured him from the undergraduate to a PhD level. “I want to celebrate Jesus Christ in the life of my oga , Prof. Fasina. He brought me to EKSU and nurtured me from my undergraduate days to the PhD level, ” he said.

Dr. Wasiu Oyedokun who is the Director of FUOYE General Studies said he admired the VC’s trust for his friends and unpretentious nature. His words: “There is one thing about him, he would allow you to flourish and he never nurses any grudge against anyone,

The legal guru and associate Professor in FUOYE’s English and Literary Studies Department advised his colleagues to restrain themselves from working against the VC but rather remain truthful to the him and assist him to succeed.

The University Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr. Paul Ogidi said: “On behalf of myself, officers and men of the University Security Unit, we congratulate and rejoice with our VC, his family, and our Chairman FUOYE Security Committee on your born day Anniversary. May it continue to please God Almighty to grant you more fruitful years on earth, in good health, in happiness, for the benefit of humanity, in Jesus name. Like I use to say, you’re God’s Special Project for FUOYE.”

READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2021/07/19/job-creation-lagos-to-design-labour-market-data-system/

Prof M.D Olujide who fondly recalled how himself and the VC met at Lagos State Polytechnic said Prof. Fasina would forever be remembered for his outstanding contribution to the growth of Lagos Poly. “If you are given an assignment by him he will give you deadline. He loves others to be happy all the time. He even assists others how to write papers. I want to tell you that all you have been saying about him is perfect. Physically and spiritually, he is a complete Man of God, as God is using him physically, He is also using him to settle people’s cases spiritually.. I also admire him so much because he treats the things of God very dearly.”

Madam Ogunmusola from FOUYE simply described the V.C thus: “He is always after people’s progress and just like others have said, he will always ensured he pursues that progress to a logical conclusion.”

Prof. Ayo Fajimi of the Agriculture faculty in FUOYE recalled how the VC has turned the faculty into a money spinning Institute. Hear him: “Then, FUOYE faculty of agriculture was in darkness, now it is in the light. In the history of FUOYE, we have never had something as progressive as this. He knows how to challenge one to make progress. He has procured a tractor for the faculty in complete package and also provided several other things that have now turned the faculty into a money spinning Institute.”

To Dr. Omolade Adeleke, Deputy Director of FUOYE Institute of Part Time Studies, Prof. Fasina is a God sent man to the Institution and he  has transformed the Ivory Tower to an enviable height.

While Dr. Olaide Nasir, an Associate Professor of Theatre Arts in FUOYE, described Prof. Fasina as very factual, saying : “He doesn’t just advise you, he understands your need and he advises you rightly,” his wife, Yinka Nasir, appreciated the VC for giving the vulnerable female students of FUOYE a voice and a hope that they would be protected in the system.

Well, since the encomiums are numerous, l present all others in their original copies bellow, please enjoy:

Mr. Ojumola Jonathan, FUOYE  branch chairman of the NASU, said:

“I have worked with several Vice Chancellors in the university system, Prof A.S Fasina stands tall among equals. You have proven to us that you can put smiles into people’s face without agitation or pressure  from any union..

“You are deeply committed to  the welfarism of staff of Fuoye, which indicate that you are a leader with the heart of Gold. You are indeed a great leader whose emergence as the 4th Vice Chancellor of our great University proved to everyone that you are a product of unlimited grace.

“May it please God to bless you abundantly and favour you in all you do sir. May you continue to enjoy good health, sound mind and longevity in all facets of your life sir. ”

Prof. A. A Ajiboye, Director of FUOYE Institute of Part Time Studies, said: “Happy birthday to the man whose track record had shown that you belong to the class of the chosen generation.

“Your commitment, dedication to duties and fair treatment as  Fuoye’s VC show that you belong to nobody but everybody. On behalf of the Institute of Part-time studies, I congratulate you sir on the occasion of your birthday today, being 17th July,2021 sir.

Happy 60th birthday sir!!!”

Dr. (Barr.) Wasiu Ademola Oyedokun-Alli said: “On behalf of myself and all of us at the Directorate of General Studies,  I heartily congratulate Mr. Vice Chancellor,  Prof. Sunday Abayomi Fashina, the academic icon and a quintessential administrator who has, by the special and wonderful grace of Allah ,been destined to turn the fortunes of the University and its staffers around for good, on his 60th birthday. You have, since your appointment,  touched (and are still touching) our unit so very positively and we pray that the good Lord grant you sound health,  long life and all that your heart desires and victory over all adversaries.  Odoodun laa rorogbo, odoodun laa r’awusa, odoodun laa r’omo obi late, e o maa be ninu ola nla ati alaafia ara. Warafaanahu mokaana aliyah!”

Another great admirer ad friend of VC said: “All of us at FUOYE Biotechnology Centre,  rejoice with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Abayomi Fasina, on attaining  the landmark age of 60 His accomplishments in so short a time as VC are monumental. He freed our colleagues from promotion oppression, and from the torments of suspension. He put a smile on the faces of colleagues who commute daily to FUOYE.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: https://www.thexpressng.com/2021/07/19/gov-sule-woos-investors-to-nasarawa-commissions-lafia-city-mall/

“He gave staff a place of relaxation, paid our allowances without being pressured, pursued the completion of ongoing and new building projects, established credible sources of IGR, all without polarising the community into “us” and ” them”. We are pleased that he has determined to hold regular Senate meetings, and to return the university to the Committee System  which makes all great universities to virtually run on auto pilot. We see sincerity of purpose in him, and we join others to congratulate him on his birthday and to pray for continued blessings upon him from the Almighty. Happy Birthday, Omeluora I, Ekwueme I, Onwa I, Ochendo I of FUOYE”

And from a Head of Department, came this: “On behalf of both staff and students of the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, I wish to say a warming  congratulations to the Vice Chancellor on his Birthday. The Department wishes you Long Life and Prosperity. More wins  as you move Fuoye to an enviable height in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.

The God Wins Vice Chancellor.”

Prof. Dosu Malomo, FUOYE Dean of Students Affairs, said: “I write on behalf of the Student Affairs Division and also on behalf of over 25,000 students of the the Great FUOYE to congratulate the man of the moment and the colossus of our time. We simply in search of words to describe your great accomplishments arising from  your dexterity to get  things done not only on time but in time. Your type is rare. We therefore, send our FELICITATIONS to celebrate you as you move in the journey of life by crossing into the senior citizen cadre. You shall glow like never before, You shall prosper the more, Health is yours, Peace is yours, You shall run your tenure because the greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. It’s dancing time for you. Your songs shall refresh always.

In a congratulatory message tagged:’ AN ICON @ 60, Jide Fadaka said: “l join numerous well wishers to celebrate you on this milestone. Your positive impact on humanity is highly commendable. No wonder, you have continued to shine in the face of adversity. May your star continue to shine and lighten up your part and your world. Greater glories lie ahead of you Prof. I wish you long life and prosperity in excellent health.”

Omosalewa also penned this: “Happy birthday to you sir. You are truly an example of determination and courage for many of us. May God bless you with all the happiness and success, may you always succeed in every direction you choose for the betterment of the university community. Stay blessed sir.

Dr. Adefemi Adekunle, Director of FUOYE Pre-Degree programmes, said: “60 is a figure, years are the goodness of God experienced along the line of duty. Recording 60 years of God’s blessing is a great grace of God. God is just starting with you and I pray that your life will never be cut short in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.  The entire staff and students of the Directorate of Predegree wish to congratulate our amiable, meticulous and highly resourceful Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, on his 60th birthday. Sir, you have empirically and convincingly demonstrated your love and care for the life and well-being of both staff and students. It is our sincere prayer that God continues to endow you with his strength,  wisdom and grace. Once again, happy glorious buffday Sir, and congratulations

Dr. Lukman. Akinola, Director of FUOYE JUPEB,  congratulated the VC thus: “On behalf of all staff and students of Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board(JUPEB), I congratulate our Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, on the occasion of his 60th birthday. We all wish you happy birthday and pray that God Almighty that choose you to spearhead the task of putting  FUOYE on the right track will give you the good health, strength, wisdom and all that will be required to achieve the task. Congratulations and happy birthday to you sir.”

And Dapo Fapetu also greeted the VC thus: “Happy birthday to a great man of valour, a great teacher, an accomplished scholar & a Vice-Chancellor whose priority is welfare of both Staff & Students, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina. Many happy return.”

 

 

 

Comments
Loading...