I consider it a great honour to be here with you this morning as a family to discuss some very important issues that concern us and our school, Edo State University Uzairue.
My appointment as Acting Vice Chancellor of Edo State University Uzairue is a recognition of your determination, collective efforts, hard work and accomplishments of the faculty members, staff and students over the years.
I want to use this medium to seek the cooperation of Deans, Directors, Heads of Department to meet the embryonic challenges in academics and research development with greater willpowers and enthusiasm.
I also want to emphatically state that there should be strict adherence to punctuality by faculty, staff and students of this great university. I urge the Heads of Departments to engage with students and research scholars more frequently to address their problems with all seriousness. It is therefore very important that all of us should collectively work hard to achieve our academic goal and to ensure that the students remain completely engrossed in their academic pursuits in line with the mandate of the University.
Needless to say that I have full confidence in the abilities of faculty members, whose vast impact is reflective in the University numerous rankings in Nigeria and in the international world rankings as well as its accreditation of programmes in the various departments by National University Commission (NUC).
However, our various ranking as one of the best university in Nigeria must serve as a motivating factors, which means we must work hand in hand to further improve upon the university's rankings.
It therefore means that we should upkeep the reputation, dignity, hard work, prestige and the sanctity of our highly principled and progressive institution, Edo State University Uzairue, which is known for developing future leaders in Nigeria and the international community. The ultimate goal is to enrich and enhance the quality of our students to make them more intellectually nimble, competent, not only for national development but to shape the future. All over the world, the society looks upon the academics, researchers and scholars as torchbearers of discipline and purpose. Therefore, what we do have a great influence on the institution image and character.
Since Edo State University Uzairue is a new institution, all eyes are on us. Therefore we cannot afford to act in a manner which is not acceptable to the society.
Fundamentally, I must be quickly emphasised here that if a leader must succeed, he only succeed on the shoulder of his followers as leadership is divine and a collective responsibility.
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The days when men portray themselves as super heroes, and super normal human beings with a falsitude of I know- it all have passed. No man is an island and no island is a man and no one can ever claim that he is an embodiment of holistic knowledge. If we must enter into the Promised Land, we must enter together holding one hands.
On this note, I open my hands wide to receive all people in this great institution and extend arm of love and unity to everyone.
No person, however, powerful and no institution, however entrenched and armed, must be allowed to get away with actions which distract from the common goal or ideal.
This is a noble responsibility.
I am aware that examination is around the corner, which is billed to commence on the 26th of June 2024. Examination time table is out, the booklets are available and the invigilators name have been published. The faculty should ensure that what is needed for the smooth running of the examination is on ground. I wish to reiterate that we have a formidable challenge before us, we must acquit ourselves creditably. I have no doubt whatsoever that we shall succeed. I wish you well.
·Being address presented at the Congregational Meeting with Deans, HODS, Directors and the entire staff of Edo State University Uzairue, on Friday, June 14, 2024, at Aliko Dangote Auditorium, by Professor Dawood Egbeifo, Acting Vice Chancellor.
