Prof Femi Mimiko, former Vice-Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State, shares his life experiences withIt was very exciting.
I grew up in a very large family – large in the sense that our parents were quick to welcome in, many of our cousins, friends, and neighbours, who desired to live with us; or whose parents for one reason or the other wanted them to grow up in our home. So, it was such a large family where all the children were treated as equals. There was no distinction as to who were the parents of whom. We had fun going to school, playing hard when we were back home, and helping with domestic chores.
Absolutely, my educational trajectory and family structure were big factors in that. There was no question of an alternative to education in our home. That was the only path charted for us. It was only a question of what you were going to read. Of course, dad wanted all his male children to become medical doctors. He didn’t quite succeed with me; but he was, with my brothers.
But without doubt, our signature project is the Senate Building, unquestionably the single most outstanding building in the whole of Ondo State till today; and arguably the best and most functional Senate building in the country. These are the assessments of builders and architects from across the country who have no reason to ingratiate themselves with us.
As VC, I insisted on all admissions into the university being offered on merit, and merit alone; and we did this for the five years. There was no Governor’s list, no Council’s list. No VC’s list. Everything was merit driven.The policy had a huge impact on the quality of our students, and in particular, their self-esteem. With one of our most hard-working professors as director, we set up the Ajasin Varsity Theatre that looked good to conquer the theatre space.
Secondly, I came to discover that if you work closely with students, put them into confidence, let them know you share their sensibilities, you can give them big assignments, and go to bed. Many university administrators tend to view students with suspicion, and pursue what the folks like to call Students’ Union Government all over the place, with the big stick. I never did. Rather, I worked closely with my students.
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