The newly inaugurated leaders of the Students Union Executive of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, have been advised to be servant leaders in their comportment and service delivery. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola and Dean, Students’ Affairs, Dr. Kayode Alese gave this counsel at the swearing in ceremony recently held for the new leaders. In his address at the occasion, Professor Daramola who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Development, Professor Tolulope Akinbogun, admonished them to see leadership as a process by which a person influences others to accomplish set objectives and direct an organization in a way that makes it cohesive and coherent. “The underlying principles here are service, character and teamwork. Do not let your position get into your heads. You must be humble and approach every situation with maturity. The character you display during your tenure will show the kind of persons you are. Strive to serve others, even as you lead” he said.
Professor Daramola promised that the students’ leaders will benefit from local and international trainings in tandem with the extant culture of the University. “We have consistently been sponsoring student leaders to attend leadership training programmes within and outside Nigeria for the past six years. I believe your administration will not be an exception. This is part of our resolve to take FUTA and its products to a higher level of internationalization in scholarship and excellence” he said.
While speaking Alese advised the leaders to make the interest of the electorate their utmost priority. “You must represent them and put aside personal gains. As leaders you must be up and doing. You must be responsible and exhibit leadership qualities at all times. You must be able to take decisions in the overall interest of not only the students’ populace but the entire University Community, “the Dean said.
Alese who also restated the open door policy of the Students Affairs Division, urged the students leaders to always intimate the University Management with their observations and challenges through his office. He promised prompt response to whatever issue raised. He also sternly warned them against students’ demonstration that can disrupt academic activities and elongate their stay on campus.
President, FUTA Students Union, Fowobaje Oluwaseun said he and his colleagues will ensure that they take students unionism to a positive level and a crisis free tenure. ”We shall stand to uphold and uplift the integrity of the Students Union by rebranding FUTA and also ensure peace and progress in running the affairs of this great institution. Our mission is to build a better Union, to bring back respect to the Students Union, to change the perspective of students about Student Unionism,” he concluded.
