Stakeholders at the just-concluded four-day strategic Obafemi Awolowo University Council Management Retreat have resolved to work together and use their respective expertise to develop the institution.
Rising from the retreat held from May 28 to May 31, 2025, at Ede, Osun State, the Stakeholders used the opportunity to restrategise on the challenges and opportunities confronting the 63-year-old institution.
The retreat, tagged “Towards A Better Working Relationship Between Council and Management,” featured Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, as the keynote speaker.
Other stakeholders in attendance include Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, the Institution’s pro-chancellor; Prof. Simeon Adebayo Bamire, the OAU Vice-Chancellor; his DVC Administration, Prof. O.M.A. Daramola; and Barrister Leye Bunmi Falode, the newly elected Great Ife Alumni Association President.
Others in attendance were Prof. M. Olubola Babalola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Akanni Akinyemi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development, and all other principal officers of the University, including the Registrar, Librarian, and Bursar.
All the registered unions, such as ASUU, CONUA, and Students Union Government, among other stakeholders at the institution, were equally present during the retreat.
In his goodwill message, Barrister Falode used the opportunity to unveil the Alumni’s 14-point agenda, which includes prioritising the university’s needs as the Federal Government allocation alone cannot sustain it.
He also said that working together with all stakeholders in a rancour-free atmosphere is what they need to achieve all the goals set by the alumni of the university.
Falode, who was sworn in as Global President on Saturday May 24, however, urged all stakeholders to work in harmony with the management and Council of the Institutions towards making it a true centre of academic excellence.
