Elujoba Is OAU Acting VC

Prof. Elujoba polled 201 votes as against 10 votes by his compatriot, Prof. Lamikanra

A sixty-eight –year-old professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ife, Anthony Elujoba, yesterday is the university’s acting vice chancellor.

The Nation report continues:

Elujoba, an indigene of Ife, defeated his opponent, Adebayo Lamikanra, with 201 to 10 votes cast by the university senate members.

Lamikanra is also a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy.

But the university workers received the news with mixed feelings.

Some described Elujoba’s election as excellent. Others alleged that his choice was staged-managed by “the cabal” in the university.

Those opposing Elujoba argued that the institution’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Omolayo Ajayi, should have been picked.

A member of the senate, who preferred anonymity, said age did not favour Elujoba since he would be 70 in two years and would not be to able vie for the substantive position.

It was gathered that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, “was prominently instrumental to the choice of Elujoba.

Local NASU Chairman Comrade Wole Odewunmi described the development as perfect.

He urged the new acting VC to work hard to keep making the university “outstanding”.

Efforts to speak with the chapter’s Academic Staff Union of Universities’ chairman, Dr. Caleb Aborisade, were abortive.

The university’s spokesman, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, in a statement, said: “After more than two hours of heated debate presided over by the outgoing Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Omolayo Ajayi, over 200 professors elected Prof. Elujoba with 201 votes over his compatriot, Prof. Lamikanra, who polled less than 10 votes.”

Professor Elujoba Emerges OAU Acting Vice Chancellor

Some moments ago, the emergency Senate meeting which was called to elect and recommend an acting Vice-Chancellor for the Obafemi Awolowo University has presented Professor Anthony Elujoba of the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy as its nominee. According to reports, Prof. Elujoba won the in-house election with 201 votes ahead of Prof. Lamikanra, also from the Faculty of Pharmacy, who had 5 votes.

Prof. Anthony Adebolu Elujoba is a professor of Pharmacognosy at the Obafemi Awolowo University, a Royal Society of UK Research Fellow looking into Nigerian Medicinal plants, a Public Analyst (FDA) and recipient of numerous professional awards. He has served as acting head of Dept of Pharmacognosy, Dean; Faculty of Pharmacy, Chairman Committee of Deans, Chairman Faculty PG Committee/ Board of studies, Research and selection committee, member Faculty review panel, Senate Representative on OAU Teaching Hospital Management board, Member Management board of natural history museum and PG board and Dean's representative, Faculty of Technology. He is an external examiner at numerous university examinations.

Elujoba's involvement in research into medicinal plants has brought him into close association with persons living with HIV/AIDS who fondly refer to him as the 'village chemist'. He is also a strong advocate of the incorporation of medicinal herbal therapies into the national health care system. He is the President of the African AIDS Research Network, Nigerian Chapter and a Member, Board of Trustees of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN). Earlier this year, he asserted his will for young people to take interest in exploring the unending benefits of nature. Elujoba chaired the the Seminar of the National Association of Botany Students, a part of events that marked the NABOS Week 2016.

Following the resolve of the school Senate to have Professor Elujoba as the acting Vice Chancellor, students and staff have been showing satisfaction as regards the progress made so far. Any moment from now, President Buhari is expected to make the official announcement of Elujoba as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution.