CRAWFORD UNIVERSITY
Our vision
To be a Center of Excellence;
producing graduates with a wellbalanced education.
The Weekly Newsletter of Crawford University, Faith City, Igbesa
Mission
To be an International Institution of
higher learning with enviable
standards of teaching and research
Http: www.crawforduniversity.edu.ng;
Vol. 1 No. 0001
Monday, October 12, 2015
Change of Baton; a Classic Hand-Over
CRAWFORD UNIVERSITY UNVEILS NEW VICE-CHANCELLOR
The Governing Council, in conjunction
with the Board of Trustees (BoT) of
Crawford University, Faith City, Igbesa,
Ogun State, Nigeria, have announced the
appointment of Professor Isaac Rotimi
AJAYI, as the new Vice-Chancellor of the
institution.
Ajayi, a Professor of Radiation & Health
Physics, is a thoroughbred academic, an
erudite scholar and a consummate
University administrator of no mean
repute. Born 50 years ago in Akure,
Ondo State, south-western Nigeria, Prof.
Ajayi bagged a BSc degree with Second
Class (Honours) Upper Division in
Physics/Electronics from the University
of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1987. He later
obtained an MSc and a PhD in Radiation
and Health Physics in 1990 and 1994
respectively from the same University.
For over 25 years, the new Vice
Chancellor has been actively involved in
teaching and research in his field of
specialization in various Universities at
home and abroad. Within that period, he
authored over 70 publications in
academic journals and books, and
attended over 40 local and international
conferences. He had at various times
been a Visiting Research Scientist at the
UNESCO affiliated International Centre
for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy
and a Visiting Research Associate at the
University of Bremen in Germany.
Prof.
Ajayi
participated
in
the
Leadership Development Course of the
Association of African Universities
(AAU) in Kenya. He equally took the
2014 University Management Training
Course in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He is a graduate of the Management of
Higher Education Institution Training of
the Galilee International Management
Institute (GIMI), Israel, as well as the
Harvard University Extension School on
Higher Education.
On the home front, Prof. Ajayi, whose
appointment is described as an icing on
the cake for Crawford University, has
functioned in the Nigerian University
system in several capacities including
serving on the NUC Programme
Accreditation Panels to some Nigerian
Universities, External Examiner to the
Federal University of Technology, Akure
and the Ladoke Akintola University,
Ogbomoso. He was at one-time the
Coordinator of the National Space
Research & Development Agency
(NASDRA)-funded
research projects at
the Adekunle Ajasin
University, AkungbaAkoko. To his credit,
the 3rd substantive
Vice Chancellor of the
institution has served as Chairman of
more than 25 Committees. He was the
Head of the Department of Physics &
Electronics at the Adekunle Ajasin
University (2000 – 2004, and 2005 2008); Director, Industrial Training
Unit (2001 – 2008); Director,
Information
&
Communication
Technology Application Centre (2010 –
2013); and Dean, Faculty of Science
(2008 – 2010). Interestingly, Prof. Ajayi
rose to the apex of his career when he
had a brief stint as Ag. Vice Chancellor of
the Adekunle Ajasin University, after a
successful two term of 4 years as Deputy
Vice Chancellor of the institution, a spell
which ended on December 10, 2014.
The new Vice Chancellor is a
professional Member of the Nigerian
Institute of Physics and the Health
Physics Society of the USA, among other
learned societies. An ordained Chaplain,
he also holds a Diploma in Chaplaincy &
Pastoral Education.
Until his appointment, the new
helmsman was a sabbatical Professor in
the Department of Physics at the Federal
University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Nigeria.
Prof. Ajayi is happily married to amiable
Dr. (Mrs.) Adeyinka Ajayi, an Economic
Historian, and the union is blessed with
two children.
His appointment has been described by
many as very timely, another milestone
and a watershed in the annals of the 10year old University. He succeeds
Professor Samson ‘Denola Ayanlaja
whose tenure elapsed on October 4,
2015, and who incidentally has joined
the elite club of former Vice Chancellors!
His appointment has been described as very timely, another milestone and a
watershed in the annals of the 10-year old University.
Published by the INFORMATION, PROTOCOL & PUBLIC RELATIONS (IPPR) CORPS, VICE CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE,
Crawford University, Faith City, Igbesa, Nigeria. Tel: +234 807 579 9443; +234 701 926 7350; +234 701 926 7787
info@crawforduniversity.edu.ng
1
NEW VICE CHANCELLOR GETS A ROUSING
WELCOME!
--- As Crawford Varsity Sends Forth Former VC, et al
Crawford University community
awoke to a new dawn on Monday,
October 5, 2015 as the 3rd substantive
Vice Chancellor of the University,
Professor Isaac Rotimi Ajayi, an
accomplished Professor of Radiation
& Health Physics, formally assumed
duty.
On the dot of 08:00 hours, Prof.
Ajayi, brimming with smiles, verve
and warmth, stepped into the
expansive office, thus signaling a new
beginning and hope at the turn of the
decade for the 10-year old University.
Prof. Ajayi was accompanied by his
delectable wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Yinka
Ajayi, a large retinue comprising of
staff from his erstwhile base, the
Adekunle
Ajasin
University,
Akungba-Akoko ably led by the
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics),
Prof. (Mrs.) Oluyemisi Adebowale,
representatives from the Ekiti Region
of the Apostolic Faith Mission
(AFM), led by Rev. and Mrs. Jacob
Fadijo, the District Overseer, AFM,
Ekiti, and a host of friends and wellwishers. On hand to receive the new
helmsman was Rev. Peter Awomoyi,
the District Overseer (DO) of the
AFM, Lagos North, Rev. Benjamin
Oni,
the
Deputy
Director,
Infrastructure Directorate, AFM,
West & Central Africa (WECA)
Headquarters and a handful of
Crawford
University staff
who
were
present
to
grace
the
epic event.
A short, but power-packed
solemn service titled, “Commit
Thy Ways Unto the LORD”, heralded
the inauguration. The Scripture
Reading taken from the Psalms 37: 15, was read by the new Vice
Chancellor. Rev. Awomoyi, who gave
the exhortation, urged the new Vice
Chancellor to “delight thyself in the
LORD, trust also in Him, and He
shall bring it to pass.” He especially
appreciated God for His goodness
and mercies in permitting the entire
University community to witness the
new dawn. The Overseer noted that
the University, apart from its being
established as an avenue for the
church to contribute its own quota to
correct the ills plaguing the Nigerian
society,
vis-a-vis
provision
of
functional, relevant, and sound
university education, was purposebuilt for a two-pronged agenda, viz:  The propagation of the Gospel
of the Lord Jesus Christ; and
 Job creation for the teeming
members of the household of
God of the Apostolic Faith
stock.
While
wishing
Prof.
Ajayi’s
predecessor God’s blessings and
guidance in his future endeavours,
the DO prayed for the actualization
of the visions-cum mission of the
founding fathers, and that the
University would witness a complete
turn-around and an unprecedented
growth
during
the
new
administration. He assured the incoming VC that the church was
solidly behind his administration.
A special prayer was offered for the
Vice Chancellor, his office and the
University at large.
The
second
segment of the
inauguration which kicked off at
12:00 noon at the University Multinpurpose Hall was witnessed by a
mammoth crowd of both academic
and non-teaching staff as well as
students who came out en-masse to
accord their brand new Vice
Chancellor a rousing reception.
The occasion also served as a sendforth bash for the immediate-past
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samson
‘Denola Ayanlaja, the former Bursar
Rev. Elijah Olorunsogo Ajayi, and the
out-gone Counsellor, Dr. (Mrs.)
Elizabeth Olubunmi Aramide.
In his inaugural speech, the new VC,
who had first arrived in the
University between September 21
and 23, 2015 to get himself
familiarized with the Crawford
University environment, thanked all
and sundry for the rare show of love
and solidarity showed him, as well as
for the many prayers offered on his
behalf. He noted that the “time has
come to infuse more vigour into our
drive to not only achieve the vision of
the founding fathers, but to take
Crawford University to a higher
pedestal of a 21st century university, a
University of global distinction and a
preferred choice in Nigeria.”
Prof. Ajayi, who paid glowing
tributes to both the founding fathers
of the Apostolic Faith Mission in
Africa, and the Crawford University,
pledged that he would provide, God
Published by the INFORMATION, PROTOCOL & PUBLIC RELATIONS (IPPR) CORPS, VICE CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE, Crawford
University, Faith City, Igbesa, Nigeria. Tel: +234 807 579 9443; +234 701 926 7350; +234 701 926 7787
info@crawforduniversity.edu.ng
2
helping, “a strategic and an
exemplary leadership that will
consolidate on the enduring legacies
of the previous administrations.” He
averred that he would “decisively
build on the legacies to deliver a new
Crawford University defined by a
deliberate culture of comprehensive
excellence, upgraded and functional
physical infrastructure, a clean,
aesthetic and secure environment,
excellent student support services,
gender sensitivity and highest quality
in the traditional academic mission
of teaching, learning, research and
services”, etc. The new chief
executive stressed that it was his
vision to make Crawford University
the best private University in the
country, the top 10 in Nigeria and
ranked among the top 100 in Africa,
come 2020. In achieving this
seemingly tall dream, he presented a
‘12 Point Action Plan/Road Map’ to
include:
1) Deepening Academic Integrity by
developing a deliberate culture of
excellence in teaching and
research;
2) Networking
and
Internationalization;
3) Fund
Mobilization
and
Refocusing Internally-GeneratedRevenue (IGR);
4) Social
Responsibility
and
Community service
5) Global
best
practices
and
Mainstreaming staff welfare;
6) World-class
Infrastructure
development;
7) Robust Student support services;
8) Institutional Reforms with a
vision for local and global
relevance in the following areas: a.
Massive Deployment of
ICT;
b.
Innovation
through
strategic planning and
assessment;
c.
Cost saving measures and
efficiency
in
fund
management;
9) Enhancement
of
Campus
Security;
10) Eradicating Cultism and other
anti-social behaviours;
11) Spiritual
development
and
Promotion of godliness;
12) Aggressive marketing and namerecognition for the University.
By and large, the VC appealed for the
cooperation and commitment of all
stakeholders for the realization of the
set objectives. He enjoined everyone
to roll their sleeves, “get our feet wet
as we get busy with the work - It is
time to arise and build!”
In his valedictory speech, the
erstwhile VC, Prof. Ayanlaja, who
handed over the reins of government
(‘The Hand-over Note’ and the keys
of the Vice Chancellor’s Office) to the
new VC, noted that “he had been on
the ‘lion’s back’, and in the ‘lion’s
den’ for the past five years.” He
nevertheless, appreciated the Deans,
the HOD’s and the HOU’s for
working assiduously with him to
actualize his mandate. He thanked
God for the feats accomplished
during his tenure, namely, the
establishment of the Post-graduate
School, budding of the new Mass
Communication Programme, and the
NUC FULL programme accreditation
status
for
ALL
15
degree
programmes, etc.
In their parting remarks, the former
Bursar and the out-gone Counselor
thanked the University for the
opportunity given them to serve, as
well as the honour done them in
organizing a befitting send-forth
ceremony in their honour.
As parting gifts, the University
donated souvenirs to the out-gone
VC, former Bursar and the
Counselor.
‘12 Point Action Plan/Road Map’
VICE CHANCELLOR INAUGURATES
INTERIM ‘INFORMATION, PROTOCOL
& PUBLIC RELATIONS’ (IPPR) CORPS
In keeping with his resolve to lift Crawford
University to a higher pedestal, and thus re-position
it as a distinctive, globally recognized 21st century
University and a preferred choice among students
in Nigeria, the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac
Rotimi Ajayi has formally inaugurated an
Information, Protocol & Public Relations (IPPR)
Corps.
The nascent outfit, a viable arm of the Vice
Chancellor’s Office, has the mandate of managing,
among other things, the information, protocol and
publicity portfolio of the University.
The outfit is made up of a team of seasoned
Communication personnel, and is headed by Dr.
Oladapo Afolabi of the College of Natural and
Applied Sciences, Messrs. Moses Itauma of the
Registry Department and Henry Fiewor of the ICT
Unit.
With the inauguration, the new helmsman is set to
hit the ground running in his avowed determination
to deliver a new Crawford University defined by a
deliberate culture of comprehensive excellence, a
University which we shall all be proud of.
“Commitment to Excellence – a march and a struggle never complete”; “Commitment to the
authority of ideas, and NOT ideas of authority”; as well as “A Place of high ideals”.
Published by the INFORMATION, PROTOCOL & PUBLIC RELATIONS (IPPR) CORPS, VICE CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE, Crawford
University, Faith City, Igbesa, Nigeria. Tel: +234 807 579 9443; +234 701 926 7350; +234 701 926 7787
info@crawforduniversity.edu.ng
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VC MEETS HOD’s & HOU’s, MARSHALS OUT A 10-POINT WORK ETHICS, ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac R. Ajayi has marshaled out a 10-Point ‘Work Ethics’ in his bid to infuse more vigour into
the workforce, and thus reposition Crawford University on the path of growth and sustainable development.
At a maiden meeting of the Vice Chancellor with all Heads of Departments & Heads of Units
(HOD’s/HOU’s) on the penultimate day of his first week in office, the VC noted that the
Departmental & Unit Heads, by virtue of their positions, were ‘Field Commanders’ who were
strategically placed to drive the ideas, the ideals and the visions of the University among their
subordinates so as to achieve the desired aspirations and objectives of the new administration.
Noting that the Work Ethics was consistent with global best practices, he enjoined the cooperation
of all and sundry, as these would ultimately be used as Key Performance Indicators (KPI) during
periodic evaluation. Using the Harvard University as a model, he appealed to all staff to
continuously strive for, and maintain excellence, so as to be in the league of global Universities. He
stressed that this was necessary and desirable owing to stiff competition, the need to contribute our
quota to national development, as well as the need to carve a niche for our self as a 21 st century
University.
The VC listed the Work Ethics to include: 1) PUNCTUALITY: It was re-iterated that official
resumption time is generally 08:00 am, while closing time is set
at 5:00 pm, with an hour interval at 1:00 pm as ‘Break Time’. In
this regard, members of staff are enjoined to resume promptly
at their desk on or before 08:00 am. Time Register would be
resuscitated, while the HOD’s/HOU’s are implored to provide
exemplary leadership.
2) TIME MANAGEMENT: Loitering and unnecessary
movement from office to office would no more be condoned, as
this was identified as counter-productive. To this end, Staff
Movement Register would be introduced to monitor junior staff
movements. The HOD’s/HOU’s must be aware of their
subordinate’s movement.
3) DILIGENCE: All staff members are enjoined to be dutiful
and diligent. Remember the eternal verity, “Seest thou a man
diligent in his business? He shall stand … mean men.” Work
schedules are to be introduced, while academic diligence should
be imbibed.
4) TRANSPARENCY: All were urged to make transparency
and probity a watchword, as there was really nothing to hide.
In the same vein, the new Vice
Chancellor, at another meeting with
Heads
of academic
Departments
(HOD’s}, re-iterated the need for the
academic staff to conform to the Work
Ethics as spelt out in the staff
Conditions of Service, so as to move the
University forward.
He enjoined the Crawford academia to
imbibe the culture of Academic
Integrity, commitment to truth, and
excellence in all ramifications. Citing the
Harvard University model once again,
the Vice Chancellor noted that Harvard
University maintained its leadership
streak for a record century owing to her
three-pronged philosophies namely,
“Commitment to Excellence – a march
5) FIDELITY TO REGULATORY BOOKS: All members of
staff are enjoined to follow extant regulations as stipulated in
the statute books. Ask questions when in doubt.
6) DUE PROCESS: Due process is to be followed in our dayto-day duties. Procedures are not to be breached.
7) HONESTY: According to the old maxim, ‘Honesty is the
best policy.’ It implies telling the truth in all situations, at all
times. Staff members were admonished to shun unethical
practices.
8) LOYALTY TO THE UNIVERSITY: Staff members were
admonished to eschew nonchalant attitudes, and to give
practical support and positive contributions to the system.
9) GENERAL GOOD CONDUCT: Every member of staff is
admonished to create a good impression at all times, as worthy
ambassadors and image-makers for the University. Negative
attitudes and scandalous behaviours are to be avoided, as this
can adversely affect the image of the University, and invariably
rob the University of potential goodwill.
10) HUMAN RELATIONS: All members of staff are enjoined
to treat one another with genuine love, dignity and decorum,
being members of one big Crawford family, as this has farreaching implications.
and a struggle never complete”;
“Commitment to the authority of ideas,
and NOT ideas of authority”; as well as
“A Place of high ideals”.
The VC listed the bane of Academic
Integrity to include cheating, plagiarism,
examination
misconduct,
irregular
attendance at classes, late submission of
examination
results,
purported
authorship of someone else’s article, etc.
These are negative propensities which
should be eschewed.
On the other hand, the hallmarks of
academic integrity, diligence and global
best practices must be imbibed by all.
These include sound teaching, covering
of syllabus(es), maintaining academic
standards, and production of synopsis
on first contact. Others are originality of
ideas, honesty & rigour in research,
marking of students’ Answer Sheets
without favour or bias, thorough
supervision of final year students’
projects, students’ mentoring, academic
independence, and the moulding of
globally-competitive graduates, etc. The
chief executive emphasized that the
lecturers, without any exception, had
very crucial roles to play in our resolve to
deepen the integrity of all our academic
programmes, and thus escape the
hitherto poor rankings that have so
characterized Nigerian Universities. He
listed other areas that could enable the
University come out of the doldrums to
Published by the INFORMATION, PROTOCOL & PUBLIC RELATIONS (IPPR) CORPS, VICE CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE, Crawford
University, Faith City, Igbesa, Nigeria. Tel: +234 807 579 9443; +234 701 926 7350; +234 701 926 7787
info@crawforduniversity.edu.ng
4
include Quality Assurance for all
programmes, periodic College seminars
and presentations, Institution of Prizes
to stimulate scholarship and hard work,
eg, Dean’s Honours List, allocation of
courses to those who could deliver,
public lectures, proffering of solutions to
national issues, and persistent web
presence, etc.
In conclusion, the Vice Chancellor
stressed that he was introducing some
key institutional reforms into the
system, especially in the areas of
Capacity Building, Deployment of
Information
&
Communication
Technology (ICT), as well as ‘CostCutting Initiatives’ (CCI). Other palpable
reforms
would
include
Shared
Resources, and of course ‘Think
Entrepreneurial
Initiatives’
(TEI).
Noting that the University was in dire
need of quality support and funds to
actualize its set mandate, the VC urged
all the Departments and Units to come
up with workable ideas that would not
only enhance the IGR base of the
University, but propel it to the next level.
Present at the parley were Principal
Officers of the University, Deans of
Colleges, Directors, Departmental and
Unit Heads.
VICE CHANCELLOR COMMENDS PARENTS’ FORUM, CANVASSES MORE SUPPORT
The Crawford University Parents’ Forum (CUPAF) received a grand commendation by the new Vice Chancellor,
Prof. Isaac R. Ajayi.
In his maiden meeting with the general assembly of CUPAF on Friday,
October 9, 2015, the VC expressed delight for their commitment and
invaluable contributions to the development and progress of the
University under his predecessors. He noted that the reports he
received indicated that the CUPAF had been wonderful partners with
the administration on various University projects. He listed the
projects to include: a) Construction of a Basketball court for the students (2010);
b) Construction of a Shopping Mall (2012);
c) Donation of five (5) computer sets to the University Library (2012);
d) Construction and completion of the new Health Centre (2014);
e) Donation of four giant electricity poles for the Male and Female hostels to aid illumination of students’
hostels area at night (2015);
f) Yearly award(s) to the overall best graduating student(s) in the University generally, and the annual
award(s) to the best graduating student(s) in the College of Business and Social Sciences (CBSS), and the
College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CoNAS) specifically, among others.
Expressing delight that his assumption of office coincided with the 10th anniversary of the University and that of
the CUPAF, the VC noted that the new administration was doubling its efforts to improve on both the physical
infrastructure and the deepening of academic integrity and culture of the University. He enumerated such areas
to include the construction of a new 4-floor hostel, construction of the campus roads, among other on-going
projects.
The VC was particularly happy that the University’s alumni were making exploits, distinguishing themselves in
their various callings and professions. Some, he noted, had acquired their Ph.D degrees from top rate universities,
while some had become executives and senior officers in multinational oil and gas companies as well as other
sectors of the economy.
Stressing that education remained the panacea for a vast range of societal ills, a dynamic instrument of change
and the greatest investment for the future relevance of a child, the VC canvassed for more support from the
CUPAF. He reiterated the continued cooperation of the University Management with CUPAF within the confines
of the rules and regulations guiding the University.
Prof. Ajayi especially applauded the body for their plans to erect a modern edifice to house the Guidance and
Counseling Unit, their intention to donate a befitting Public Address System to the University, among other
laudable projects.
Published by the INFORMATION, PROTOCOL & PUBLIC RELATIONS (IPPR) CORPS, VICE CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE, Crawford University,
Faith City, Igbesa, Nigeria. Tel: +234 807 579 9443; +234 701 926 7350; +234 701 926 7787
info@crawforduniversity.edu.ng
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