Oluwafemi Balogun, on Saturday
celebrated his third year in
office with a plea that the post-
Universities Matriculation
Examination test should not be
scrapped.
Balogun said after a thanksgiving
service to commemorate his
three years in office as the VC
of UNAAB, that the declaration of
the members of the House of
Representatives that the post-
UME test be scrapped would foist
tragedy on the nation ‘s
university system.
Post-UME was added to the
admission process to the nation‘s
104 universities following an
outcry against the woeful
performance of high scoring
candidates of the UME in the
nation ‘s universities.
But the lawmakers said the test
should be scrapped because it
has been subjected to abuse by
the universities. However,
Balogun said such call was not
progressive. ”That is an
invitation to national tragedy, it
is uncalled for and the
government and all stakeholders
should ensure that post-UME is
not scrapped, ” he said.
He explained that post-UME had
improved academic development
reduction in violence, activities of
students ‘ cultists and
discouragement of candidates‘
involvement in examination
malpractices.
”The face-to-face interaction
universities now have with
prospective undergraduates
through the post-UME enables us
to filter the serious-minded from
touts. It offers a greta
advantages and these must not
be missed,” he said.
Balogun while reviewing his first
three years, noted that the
achievements recorded were as
a result of team work and
support from all members of
staff and students of the
institution. According to him, his
vision to improve academic and
physical facilities on the campus
has been realised, while the
employment scheme initiated for
the agricultural science-based
graduates of the institution
were some of the achievements
he relished.
“But in all the grace of God has
been our sufficiency since we
assumed office, ” he said.
At the thanksgiving service, the
guest minister and motivational
speaker, Mr. Abiodun Fijabi,
attributed the Balogun-led
management ‘s achievements to
the special grace God, adding
that the VC and his team would
take UNAAB to the pinnacle of
success.
Scores of well-wishers from all
walks of life including the UNAAB
Chancellor, who is also the
Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike
Edozien and the Pro-Chancellor
and Chairman Governing Council,
Chief Olakunle Osayemi attended
the ceremony, which held at the
Julius Okojie Lecture Theatre
Complex of the institution.
Others include the Olowu of Owu,
Oba (Dr.) Adegboyega Dosumu,
the Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba (Dr.)
Adedapo Tejuoso, The Agura of
Gbagura, Oba (Dr.) Halidu Laloko
and The Olubara of Ibara, Oba
Jacob Olade.
Also in attendance are Ogun
State Commissioner of Police,
Alhaji Usman Daura, the State
Commandant of National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency, Mrs.
Caroline Obijuru, the Vice-
Chancellor, Federal University of
Technology, Akure, Prof. Adebisi
Balogun and the Provost ,
Adeyemi College of Education,
Ondo, Prof. Yemi Idowu.