The Nigeria French Language Village (NFLV), has appointed Prof. Samuel Oladipo Kolawole, formerly with Ekiti State University, as the new Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Prof. Kolawole will be taking over from Prof. Lateef Babatunde Ayeleru whose tenure ends on February 12, 2025, reports thegazellenews.com
The appointment was announced via a statement issued after the 8th Regular Council Meeting of the institution, thegazellenews.com learnt.
In a related development, the Council has also appointed Mr. Ibikunle Lateef Oyeleke as the new Bursar during the 2nd plenary session of the 7th Regular Council according to a release made by Mrs. Sessi Fagbeji-Agemo, Deputy Registrar, Information and Protocol of the Village.
Mrs. Fagbeji-Agemo said the the Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Labiru Musa Kafur, highlighted and praised the transparency and diligence of the selection process that led to Prof. Kolawole’s and Mr. Oyeleke’s appointment.
The session which also marked the valedictory meeting of the outgoing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Tunde Ayeleru, witnessed an outpour of encomium.
In his remarks, Alhaji Kafur acknowledged Prof. Ayeleru’s significant contributions during his tenure, emphasizing the improvements made in infrastructural development and academic excellence under his leadership.
“Council recognizes his efforts towards improving the Village. He is leaving the Village better than he met it,” the Chairman noted. As Prof. Ayeleru prepares to exit his role, the Chairman expressed hope that the relationships he has fostered during his tenure will endure.
Under the leadership of the out-going Director, the Village, for the first time, produced six Professors marking a significant milestone in the institution’s academic development.
The six Professors are: Adesola Musibau O., Adeleke Joseph A., Laditan Omolegbe A., Adeniyi Emmanuel A., and Alawode Mathew A. Additionally, Dr. Olayiwola Senior Idowu was promoted to the rank of Reader, officially joining the professorial cadre.
According to the former Chairperson of the Governing Council of the institution, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, “the development marks the opening up of new vistas for the Nigeria French Language Village.”
Prof Sonaiya felicitated with the newly promoted professors and wished them greater levels of advancement in the years to come. She further charged them to remain committed to academic excellence, emphasizing the importance of their roles in advancing the institution’s mission, particularly as the Village aspires to become a degree-awarding institution in the near future.
The former Chairperson of the Governing Council highlighted recent engagements between the French Language Village and French academic institutions, facilitated through a visit to Paris under the auspices of Campus France. She described the partnerships as crucial steps toward the Village’s re-admission into the TETFund-funded tertiary institutions list, which, she said, “would unlock further development opportunities.”
Prof. Sonaiya commended the Director, Prof. Ayeleru, for his dedication and relentless efforts in advancing the institution. She also acknowledged the contributions of the management team and staff members across all levels, noting that their collective hard work is driving the Village toward greater achievements.
As part of her remarks, Prof. Sonaiya encouraged stakeholders to embrace a culture of excellence, challenging the institution to pursue world-class infrastructure and academic standards. She expressed a vision for modernized structures that align with global university trends, stating, “Let us challenge ourselves to rise above the rot around us. Let us raise the bar for ourselves and begin to dream big.”
