Prof. Rasaq Olátúndé Kàlílù: A Forward-Thinking Leader Shifting Paradigm as Exceptional VC at LAUTECH
PanNigerianNews
7 min read
By Sayo ALAGBE
Leadership is all about responsibility and accountability. Without doubt, an administrator in a world of bureaucracy is a man who, by the abstraction of his non-entity, can feel huge. He feels terrified by a genuine person in touch with actual things. In support of this school of thought, Steven Berkoff restates that “A great opera theatre is governed by a brilliant administrator, not by a director.”
There is no better way to capture the administrative prowess and brilliance of Professor Rasaq Olatunde Kalilu at the helm of affairs of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso than his personality as a symbol of excellence and embodiment of enviable heights in the realm of higher education administration in Nigeria.
Significantly, Professor ROM Kalilu, as he is fondly called, does not only embody the epitome of leadership, but also with apt and inspiring innovation and integrity. To begin with, as the Acting-Vice Chancellor, Kalilu’s tenure has been characterized by unwavering dedication, transformative initiatives, and a commitment to nurturing a conducive environment for expanding academic, staff welfare and personal growth.
Within the space of eight months of his appointment as the Acting-Vice Chancellor of the prestigious citadel of learning, his impacts have touched the least expected areas of the institution, the entire Ogbomoso environs, Oyo State, Nigeria and the world at large through his leadership style of broad consultation approaches as diplomacy, which has earned him widespread popularity and positioning him as the prime, noble and timely candidate for the substantive Vice Chancellor’s position of LAUTECH.
In this comprehensive exploration, it is important to examine the multifaceted qualities and accomplishments that distinguish ROM Kalilu as the ideal choice to lead LAUTECH into a future defined by excellence and distinction.
From the beginning of his tenure in acting capacity, LAUTECH has thrived under the visionary leadership of Professor ROM Kalilu. As one of the university’s pioneers, he played and still playing pivotal role in shaping its foundational principles and strategic direction. He knows the necessary steps to be taken at each particular juncture. He doesn’t mince words; he knows what timely actions could lead to and likewise, the consequences of belated steps.
Moreover, his foresight and innovative thinking have been instrumental to positioning the university as a trailblazer in education. His ability to anticipate emerging trends and adapt to dynamic educational terrain has enabled LAUTECH to stay ahead of the curve and remain at the forefront of innovation. As Francis Bacon once said: “Seeing is believing.”
As an innovator, the university, under his stewardship, has witnessed and still witnessing the transformation of its campus into a vibrant hub of intellectual activities and innovations. His unwavering commitment to creating an environment conducive for academic excellence has laid the foundation for the university’s continued growth and success.
At the heart of Kalilu’s leadership philosophy lies a steadfast commitment to discipline, integrity, and ethical conduct. As Acting-Vice Chancellor, he has upheld the highest standards of professionalism and accountability, instilling a culture of excellence and integrity in the university community. His adherence to principles has earned him the respect and admiration of students, members of staff, and various stakeholders alike which solidifies his reputation as a principled leader with integrity and vision. What matters again?
Furthermore, within the duration of his acting roles and his leadership qualities, LAUTECH has experienced a resurgence of discipline and accountability, with a renewed emphasis on excellence in academics and character. Through the implementation of robust governance, administrative mechanisms, prompt and regular payment of staff salaries and transparent decision-making processes, he has fostered a culture of trust and accountability, ensuring that the university operates within the utmost integrity and transparency.
Importantly, Professor Kalilu knows the significance of human relations. He makes friends before he will need them. His public image is enviable. He appreciates little efforts as signs of sincerity of purpose. Voltaire once noted: “Appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellence in others belong to all of us.” His commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and equity has earned him the trust and confidence of stakeholders across the university community, thereby positioning him as a model of integrity and ethical leadership. There is no controversy on that. What matters again?
In his role as acting Vice Chancellor, Professor ROM Kalilu has demonstrated unparalleled administrative acumen and strategic foresight. With keen understanding of the complexities of higher education administration, he has adeptly navigated the myriad challenges facing the university, implementing innovative solutions and strategic initiatives to drive organizational effectiveness and efficiency. His visionary leadership has enabled LAUTECH overcome obstacles and seize opportunities for growth and advancement. It has, indeed, positioned the institution for long-term success and sustainability.
Through his strategic leadership, he has spearheaded initiatives to enhance academic quality, promote research excellence, and foster innovation across all facets of the university life. His strategic vision and innovative approach to administration have resulted to tangible improvements in student performance outcomes, faculty engagements, and institutional reputation. His proactive leadership style and hands-on approach to administration have earned him the admiration of noble men and women due to his reputation as an administrator par excellence.
Within the span of more than 200 fruitful days on the saddle, Professor ROM Kalilu has left an indelible mark on LAUTECH, propelling the institution to new heights of excellence and distinction. In his visionary leadership, the university has experienced unprecedented growth and advancement with notable achievements across all areas of academic and administrative operations. From enhanced academic programmes to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence, Kalilu’s transformative leadership has set the stage for continued success and achievement.
Since his assumption of office, his tenure as acting Vice Chancellor he has demonstrated the highest levels of leadership, integrity, and innovation, trust and confidence of stakeholders across the university community. His stellar leadership, strategic foresight and commitment to excellence have positioned LAUTECH for continued growth and success in the years to come. As one of the architects of the university’s transformation and a champion of its core values and principles, Professor ROM Kalilu is uniquely qualified to lead Ladoke Akintola University into a future defined by excellence, innovation, distinction and inspiration to the next line of actions towards the promised land.
In the annals of higher education leadership, few figures come with substances. Among those who are privileged by nature to be endowed with native intelligence and refined wisdom is Professor ROM Kalilu, whose visionary leadership and commitment to excellence have propelled LAUTECH to the pinnacle of academic distinctiveness.
As acting Vice Chancellor, he has demonstrated unparalleled dedication to the growth and development of the institution; coupled with his sustained integrity. We live in the era of rare examples. He is the only one ‘prime ad ideal’ to continue the reconstruction of LAUTECH he has started in terms of administration, academic qualities, staff welfare and continuous general corporate image promotion of the institution.
Without mincing words and with the outlook of things, the stage is set to appoint a substantive Vice-Chancellor for the University, Professor ROM Kalilu is a suave, capable and polymath scholar – who will steer the academic ship of the institution for another fruitful and meaningful three years. To discernible mind, nothing is as good as allowing continuity, which is the hallmark and entrenchment of continued development, progress and laying down of indestructible, solid and enduring legacies worthy of emulation to be allowed to champion the course he has started.
On this premise, the power to appoint and disappoint, the wisdom to make or mar lies fully well in the prodigious knowledge, sagacity and hands of the University visitor, in person of the great political leader and innovator, reformer and performer, administrator par excellence and game changer, prodigious and indefatigable Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, whom l strongly believe in his power of intuition and vision lies the courage to make the right choice among the candidates jostling for the vacant position, and who among them is qualified and have the drive to move the wheel of progress and even development of the University forward and to the enviable and unprecedented height.
Remarkably, Governor Seyi Makinde, as earlier said, has the good grace and opportunity to appoint a substantive Vice Chancellor who will continue to uphold the university’s legacy of excellence and lead it to even greater heights of success. For the sake of continuity, , academic excellence, progress, growth, development and crisis-free environment, l have no iota of doubt in my mind that Governor Seyi Makinde will find in Professor ROM Kalilu leadership qualities of unmatched qualifications and accomplishments, visionary leadership, crisis management capacity and unwavering commitment to excellence.
As a matter of fact and based on general public acceptance, the road to be taken is to appoint the great Professor ROM Kalilu as the substantive Vice Chancellor of LAUTECH. He is the most acceptable choice, with capabilities to drive dynamic contexts in the right direction, which the contemporary world of leadership entails.
As a result, this makes him the ideal choice to continue to serve Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State and Nigeria in general. To sum up, I lean on the words of Rosalynn Carter to say that: “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” Professor ROM Kalilu has more than what it takes to ‘pilot’ LAUTECH to where it ought to be. What matters again?
. ..Àlàgbé is a media practitioner, culture promoter, radio consultant, author and publisher. 07039535757
