VC visits Abeokuta Centre, Obasanjo

Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Femi Peters, today reiterated his stand on making staff welfare a priority. 

He made the pledge during a visit to the NOUN Study centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State. 

In his address to the staff of the study centre, the VC acknowledged the hard work being put in by members of staff and assured them that his administration would ensure that everything concerning their welfare would be taken care of. 

He also pleaded that the idea of unionism in the university should be shelved, arguing that it would do more harm than good. 

He said everyone needs to understand that NOUN is the best and "we need to keep up efforts in spreading the good news about this great institution; this means productivity needs to improve." 

Prof. Peters, who responded to questions from members of staff, urged them to keep working hard in improving student enrollment.

He thanked the centre director and his team for the warm reception and promised to visit again.

The VC, who was accompanied on the visit by the principal officers of the university, was earlier received by the Study Centre Director, Dr. Olusegun Adeleke Adenuga, and staff of the centre. 

The VC and his team seized the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on former President (Dr) Olusegun Obasanjo and the Presidential Library. 

They were treated to a tour of the presidential museum, which is rich with artefacts and memorabilia of Obasanjo's historical background and origin, as well as his national and international services. 

It also houses his achievements as a father, president and leader of Nigeria and his services to Nigeria and the world.

After the tour, the entourage was received by the Chairman of the NOUN Council, Prof. Peter Okebukola, who introduced the VC and his team to Obasanjo. 

In his speech, Prof Okebukola thanked the former president for his courage in relaunching the National Open University of Nigeria and for maintaining strong ties with the institute. 

The visit coincided with the former President's 84th birthday which falls on 5th March.

Okebukola led the NOUN team to sing a birthday song for the iconic leader.

In his response, Chief Obasanjo thanked Prof. Peters for taking out time to visit him together with his principal officers. 

He reminisced about his time in NOUN and how he bagged his postgraduate and doctorate degrees in Theology. 

He wished the VC a successful tenure and pledged his continuous support for "the great institution of learning".

This was the VC's first official visit to the former president since he assumed office on 11th February, 2021.

He was accompanied by principal officers, including Prof. Uduma Uduma Orji (DVC Academics), Prof. Justus Shokefun (DVC Administration), Mr. Felix Edoka (Registrar), Dr  Earnest Odeigha (Bursar) and Dr. Adam Gambo Saleh (Librarian).