An address presented by Dr John Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State and visitor to the Ekiti State University at the 17th convocation ceremony of the University held on 31st March, 2012.

1. AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY DR. JOHN KAYODE FAYEMI, THE
GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE AND VISITOR TO THE EKITI STATE
UNIVERSITY AT THE 17TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF THE
UNIVERSITY HELD ON 31ST MARCH, 2012.
Protocol
I am exceedingly happy today to address the congregation of the Ekiti
State University for the 17th Convocation and 30th anniversary of the citadel
of learning. I have keenly monitored the activities marking the unique
celebration of the three decades of the University in the past few days and
come to the conclusion that the ceremony is worth the energy and
resources invested in it.
The history of this institution is a study in resilience, unparalleled optimism,
doggedness and the natural resolve to swim unperturbed against the wind,
in the unquenchable spirit inherent in an average Ekiti. This, as can be
seen, was demonstrated in high dosages with feelings of accomplishment
at every junction of the journey of the institution.
The events that readily come to mind while relaying the history of the
University is its metamorphosis from Obafemi Awolowo University, its
maiden name, to the Ondo State University in 1985, the University of Ado-
Ekiti in 1999 and the Ekiti State University in 2011.
However, the circumstances of the change of its name again in 2011 were
very fundamental and an inevitable option to a serious minded

2. government. While I am not unaware of reservations expressed in some
quarters, especially among the University’s alumni about the latest name
change, I want to assure this august congregation that this change
represents a fundamental departure from the norm. it is not mere
symbolism, not a fashion but a substantial shift from the uncertainties of
the past. At its inauguration in 2010, this government inherited three state
owned Universities: namely the University of Ado Ekiti, the University of
Education, Ikere-Ekiti and the University of Science and Technology, Ifaki-
Ekiti. The mystery surrounding the emergence of the plural institutions in
such a state as ours is still largely unfathomable. It was obvious that the
promoters of this course were only on an inexplicable mission of bad
politics which only resulted in crisis and mistrust among the people. It was
in response to the unanimity of calls by concerned citizens across social,
political and economic lines for an immediate halt to the drift that informed
the consolidation of the institutions. The three glorified institutions had to
coalesce into one formidable Ekiti State University by the law passed by the
Ekiti State House of Assembly. Our vision is for a University that promotes
knowledge with character, learning with culture and research with
integrity.
Distinguished scholars, honorees and guests, may I observe that a major
explanation of under-development in many third world countries,
particularly in African sub-Saharan region, is the glaring disconnect
between the Universities and the society. The World Universities Rating in
2011 released recently indicates that many universities in Africa, nay in

3. Nigeria are nonstarters. For instance, the first African University in the
rating occupies 387th position in the world while the first university to be
mentioned in Nigeria is number 2,266 in the world and occupies 35th
position in Africa. It is sad to note that only five Universities in Nigeria
make the first 50 in Africa. While it is true that such statistics may not tell
the whole story, perceptions of quality and standards are often shaped by
such ratings.
This rating certainly talks volumes on how structurally deficient our
universities are and the possible reasons why they have not been able to
serve as catalysts for the overall development of the Land. In other climes,
universities, through researches, jumpstart and sustain development. What
use is a tertiary education, so to say, that fails to affect the people and
their places of habitation? The university system, to me, is not only meant
to churn out graduates, they must, by necessity, be productively functional
with the capability to contribute significantly to the index of growth.
Many of our Universities have largely been unable to engage in researches
that have direct impact on the developmental needs of the continent. The
society is thus left to grapple blindly with unworkable trials that have
translated to collateral failure of the state in its responsibilities to the
society.
It is the determination of this administration to make the Ekiti State
University an intellectual bank capable of providing clues to solutions to our

4. myriads of developmental challenges through virile scholarship. We want
the University to replicate the roles of the first generation universities
where top and middle level officers undergo scientific trainings that equip
them to aggressively perform their responsibilities in the most dynamic
manner that the society would benefit from. The public service of the
Western State and also that of the old Ondo State, in that respect,
achieved excellence largely by the intellectual inputs of the University
faculties. We are looking forward to producing graduates whose
scholarship would add value to the quality of lives of our people. This is the
minimum we expect from this knowledge centre. Apart from occupying the
sinecure position of the Visitor of this University, I also want to play a more
active role in the University. Many will recall my campaign promise to tech
in the University. I have been in discussion with the Vice Chancellor and
the Department of Political Science on plans to start a graduate course in
my field of Peace and Conflict Studies. So very soon, don’t be surprised if
you see me in your class.
I am not unaware that the major complaints of public institutions centre on
inadequate funding. While this is true, it would however be unacceptable to
this government should the Ekiti State University be attracted to the
temptation of using this as an excuse for failure to meet its obligations as
required.
I challenge you to engage in profitable and socially relevant consultancies
and be prudent in your resource management. The University also belongs

5. to a Universe of Knowledge, a universe without boundaries. So,
international linkages become key for successful universities. To be factual,
there is no way the government would be able to provide all the financial
resources the institution requires for the performance of its statutory
responsibilities. We will nonetheless redouble efforts in providing funds
within the available resources. It is however necessary to encourage you to
engage in public private partnership arrangements to handle many of your
research needs. It is still disappointing that much of the available research
funds are unaccessed by our academics. Our faculty members need to
embrace drive with a marked departure from what it has always been to
become development oriented researchers.
We are looking up to you as critical partners in the transformation agenda
of the present administration in the State by making available practicable
findings to take on our socio-economic, political and technological
challenges. I am convinced that you have all it takes to make this
University to rank among the best in the world.
I like to congratulate the new Chancellor of the University, His Excellency,
Dr. Bamidele Isola Olumilua, former governor of Old Ondo State on his
well-deserved appointment as the Chancellor of the University. I also
salute the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Emeritus
Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, and other members of the council for
providing the right leadership for the University since the inauguration of
the Council.

6. It is a profound joy for me to note that, for the first time in the history of
the University, international figures are being honoured today by the
conferment of honorary doctorate degrees. This is a clear signal that this
institution is cut for global attention.
I therefore seize this opportunity to felicitate with the eminent citizens who
had been conferred with honorary doctorate degrees of the University.
First, His Excellency, Dr. John Dramawi Mahama, the Vice President,
Republic of Ghana; Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, the Director General,
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the
former Vice Chancellor of the premier University of Ibadan and a great
teacher of history, Emeritus Professor Tekena Nitonye Tamuno.
With concerted efforts of all stake holders, Ekiti State University will soon
be a force to reckon with in University education. Again I congratulate you
all for this programme, particularly the 30th anniversary celebrations
Thank you and God bless.