FUOYE VC Identifies Insecurity As Major Challenge Of Varsities |The Source

By Ayodele Oni

The Vice Chancellor, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, (FUOYE), Professor Kayode Soremekun, has announced the readiness of the  institution to resume academic activities.

He made the declaration in Akure, Ondo state, at the launch and public presentation of a book, “Campus  Security Management : Insights from the Front lines” authored by the Chief Security Officer of FUOYE, Mr Paul Bamidele Ogidi.

According to him,  “FUOYE is set for  resumption of academic activities. We have put a lot in place with regards to safety protocols for the University community.”

He, however, disclosed that the strike action embarked upon by Unions in the University system has added some complexity to the COVID-19 challenge, noting  that  as a University,  those dynamics would have to be respected.

Speaking as Chairman of occasion at the book presentation, Prof Soremekun identified  what he called ” a dialectical relationship between campus security and national security,” saying what affects one also affects the other as none is insulated.

He advised University Management in search of men to man their security department,  to factor in the changing security architecture of the University environment  in the search for such a candidate.

“You need a candidate who is not just familiar with University operational system and culture, but also one  with the capacity to link up and synergise with other agencies of government to ensure the much needed peace in a university environment.”

This panacea, he said,  has worked in FUOYE as the institution presently  enjoys a peaceful environment for academic activities.

For those who wish to go far in the administration of a University, he recommended the 13 chapter book to them ” in the face  evolving and massive security challenges and transformations in student unionism”.

He described the book launch as a massive public relations activity for the University as the “spill-over of the launch is that FUOYE is out there today in the public space  on a positive note”.

He was full of praises for the author for “this ground breaking book” in addressing security administration in a University setup. He equally acknowledged Mrs Ogidi for the monumental role she played in this creative enterprise and for ensuring this kind of productive output.

The publication was based on Ogidi’s experience as the Chief Security Officer of the Obafemi Awolowo University,(OAU) Old Ife.