- ” Within the two years of service, Yusuf Ali, SAN transformed the Committee into a bonafide corporate entity.
*Photo: Yusuf Ali SAN *
Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, erstwhile Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Osun State University has bowed out of the Chairmanship of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-owned Universities (COPSUN) after two years of meritorious service.
This was disclosed in a 7-point communique of COPSUN released at the end of its 61st quarterly meeting held in Abuja.
In the communique dated 12th September, 2023 and signed by its Secretary, Marcus Awobifa, COPSUN said “Yusuf Ali, SAN has bowed out of office gracefully as the Chairman of COPSUN and is succeeded by Ahmed Mustapha Goniri, Esq, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the Yobe State University.
” Within the two years of service, Yusuf Ali, SAN transformed the Committee into a bonafide corporate entity.
“The Pro-Chancellors wished he stayed on to continue the good works but having ceased to be a Pro-Chancellor he has to leave.”
Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of Osun State University on 8 August 2016 and left office recently.
The communique also said that “2. Given the fast growing number of State Universities in the Country and their closeness to the grassroots, the Pro- Chancellors resolved that the State Universities should be more relevant to the social, economic and technological
advancement of the people. It therefore urged the vice chancellors of state Universities to create niche for themselves as the master of development of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“3. COPSUN believes that the importance and relevance of alumni associations cannot be over-emphasized. It called on the vice chancellors of State Universities to encourage and cultivate their alumni associations to support the growth and development of the Universities. It added that students should be treated well to create good memories in them after their graduation from the Universities as to be willing to assist if and when called upon by their alma maters.
“4. The Pro-Chancellors Congratulate both the Minister of Education and the Minister of State for Education, Prof Tahir Mamman and Dr. Yusuf Sununu respectively on their appointments. It urged them to create synergy and good working relationship with COPSUN and see it as partners in progress for the overall advancement of tertiary education in Nigeria.”
On autonomy of state Universities which was item number 5 of the communique,
“The Committee reiterated the importance of University autonomy and called on the relevant governments and authorities to respect and uphold the principle of autonomy as enshrined in the enabling Laws of the Universities. The Pro- Chancellors appealed to State governors to emulate the Federal Government where the appointments of Vice Chancellors end with the Governing Councils of individual Federal Universities.”
COPSUN subsequently urged State governors to give the governing Councils free hands to determine the school fees of their various Universities having regard to the economic realities of the time.
It equally congratulated the Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, ” on his recovery and safe return to office after his treatment abroad” and prayed that God will grant him “good health with fulfilling long life”.