Professor Labode Popoola’s Eventful Four Months in UNIOSUN

In this piece, Oyebamiji Alabi said, through self-discipline, persuasion, negotiations and prudence, Popoola has been able to block financial leakages to the tune of over N15 million, which had previously led to high operational costs, gradually changing the psyche of the students on the need to adhere to best academic practice on school fees payment and student registration among others.

“When he came on board, the University was being owed school fees to the tune of over N2 billion, as students believed it was a right not to pay school fees. There were several cases of students owing fees of up to 11 semesters. Indeed, on 16th February, 2017, students protested against the payment of late registration penalty, a global practice which has been in existence since the inception of the school. Gladly, the crisis was resolved within few days. The messy development of students not wanting to pay tuition fees has gradually become a thing of the past. By dint of strong will and rare administrative tact, Professor Popoola succeeded in making the students realize the need to pay their fees as and when due.

“The VC is also facilitating partnerships between UNIOSUN and other institutions for mutual relations and benefits. In his relentless drive to improve the overall teaching and research standards in the University, in line with international best practice, Professor Popoola took advantage of his international influence to secure partnership with the University of Gambia and the Medical Research Council of the Gambia by signing MoU on staff and student exchange and capacity building, among others.

“In continuation of his strategic plan to constantly interact with the University Community, Professor Popoola led the University Management on a tour of Campuses which held between Tuesday 10th and Thursday 12th January, 2017. The tour which lasted for three days gave the University Management the opportunity to meet with all the royal fathers where the University campuses are located and to solicit more support for the University. The tour also afforded the Management team the opportunity of checking the current state of the on-going projects in different campuses of the University, the existing infrastructure and meeting with all staff and students of Osun State University.

“In demonstration of his mastery of the managerial intricacy of a multi-campus system, which characterizes Osun State University, Professor Popoola has recently secured Council approval of the Directorate of Intercampus and Public Relations, which will be responsible for coordination of activities across campuses. The Directorate is also designed to strengthen outreach and relationship across the spectrum of all stakeholders of the University. The Directorate will work with the Vice-Chancellor, Headships of Colleges, Staff, Students and other stakeholders to improve on service delivery.

“In his bid to boost its IT standard, Professor Popoola has achieved for the University, an unprecedented leap, with the recent acquisition of TELEPROMPTER, a standard modern IT device used for speech presentation. It is interesting to note that Osun State University is the first and the only university to acquire this device in Nigeria.

“The desire of Professor Popoola to provide a smooth access road to UNIOSUN main campus is yielding good result as funds have been raised through the Advancement Board to hasten the completion of the road after the University took it over from the government.

“Also, in fulfillment of his commitment to improving the welfare of staff and students in the University, his administration has commenced weekend healthcare services at Ifetedo, Osogbo, Ikire and Okuku campuses of the University”.