The Director General, Bureau of Community Communications, Mary Omotosho has expressed admiration over the laudable initiative of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE, to select a one-day vice chancellor that would direct the affairs of the institution.
Omotosho stated this on Monday in Ado-Ekiti during a mentoring session with the winners of the FUOYE’s maiden one-day VC challenge when they paid her a courtesy visit alongside the varsity’s representative.
Ms Success Oluwaseun, a 400-level student from the Department of Criminology and Security Studies emerged winner of the FUOYE’s maiden one-day VC challenge and will assume the position alongside three deputies, Adeyemo Ayomide, Ojomo Jesubanke and Adebimpe Hamdala.
Addressing the passionate group of young leaders, Omotosho, who said that the initiative does not only showcase their academic, intellectual and leadership prowess noted that it further renews hope in the future of the country.
Responding to their questions on her career growth towards becoming an aide to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the DG explained that the office was created by the governor to bridge communication gap between the people and the government adding that her core values havevbeen her watchword in the discharge of her duties.
According to her, “I am so happy that this is happening because this is the time that young people are carried away with frivolous activities on social media. It means we still have a future. The office is the first of its kind since the creation of Ekiti State because the governor decided to run an all-inclusive governance in Ekiti State, focusing on grassroots development.
“Naturally, I decided I won’t go outside my core values of professionalism, honesty and decency. Having your core values will guide you because I made up my mind not to compromise. These values have been my driving force and that has been helping me as a woman.”
Omotosho, who highlighted her path as an accomplished journalist, public relations expert and grassroots communicator and leader, admonished the young leaders to continue pushing the boundaries of possibilities as future leaders and problem-solvers, who will drive solutions for a greater Ekiti State and Nigeria in general.
She admonished them saying, “Your thinking has to change, you need to look for fresh or common problems to solve. The world is evolving and that’s why we must prepare ourselves because we are exceptional.”
Earlier, Director, Directorate of Career Services at FUOYE, Prof. Adebola Aderibigbe said the visit was aimed at introducing the one-day VC and her deputies to the DG for mentoring and nurturing on what is expected of them as young leaders.
He explained that the process that produced the maiden one-day VC and her deputies passed through rigorous engagements that was thrown open to undergraduates within the 4.0 cumulative GPA percentage adding that the visit is targeted at understudying her leadership roles as a community leader.
Prof. Aderibigbe disclosed further that the initiative was introduced by the VC of the university, Prof. Abayomi Fasina with approval from the Acting VC, Prof. Olubunmi Shittu to teach and motivate the students on leadership and also build their capacity as young leaders.
On her part, the one-day VC, Ms Oluwaseun hailed the institution’s bold step to allow students step into the role saying that it is a testament to the institution’s innovation for national transformation.
While pledging to align with the vision and mission of the university in the discharge of her duties, the one-day VC said the interaction with the DG has inspired them towards making impacts as young leaders