Principal Officers, Deans, Directors, Honour VC with Commemorative Plaque as Retreat Concludes

The third and final day of the landmark retreat for leaders of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) took a dramatic turn on Saturday, 9th August, 2006, as participants surprised the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole, with a commemorative plaque in recognition of her ingenuity and outstanding leadership.

The retreat, held between August 6th and 9th, brought together Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and Heads of Committees in what has been described as a groundbreaking staff developent initiative under Prof. Oduwole’s leadership. The surprise presentation followed various lecture sessions and early morning sporting activities that had already taken place.

Presenting the plaque on behalf of the Principal Officers, Deans, and Directors, the Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. Olanrewaju Onadeko SAN, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for conceptualising the retreat idea – the first of its kind in the university’s history. He noted that participants had gained immensely from carefully selected speakers and sessions designed to spur them into action.

The plaque bore a specially crafted inscription: “Honoring a Pioneer Facilitator: For a 4-Day retreat for ACU Leaders. Great achievements begin with courageous pioneers. Your passion, wisdom, and tireless efforts have illuminated the path for others to follow. May your legacy continue to inspire excellence, innovation, and faithful service.”

An emotionally moved Prof. Oduwole jokingly described the gesture as a “coup” plotted behind her back. She thanked everyone for the gift and charged them to embrace the spirit of delivering on their assigned responsibilities. “When you’re delivering the assignment, you’re delivering unto God,” she said, dedicating the award to all ACU staff for their unflinching support and dedication.

The retreat featured various sessions and group discussions where participants brainstormed on charting the way forward. Prof. Kehinde Ayantayo, a Professor of Religious Ethics and Sociology of Religion, from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, held participants spellbound with his presentation on “Work Ethics, Teamwork and Collaboration among Leaders in ACU“.

The retreat is among several pioneering staff development programmes organised under Prof. Oduwole’s leadership, who made history as the first female Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University on the first of October, 2025.