The Archbishop of Ibadan Province and Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Dr Williams Aladekugbe, has urged the management and leadership of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, to remain committed to duty in line with the theme of a retreat for staff of the institution.
Aladekugbe, a member of the university’s Governing Council, spoke on the second day of the retreat held for deans, directors, heads of departments and heads of committees.
He described the participants as a critical ‘bridge’ for the university’s progress, saying the retreat was designed to ‘drive institutional competition and global recognition.’
He said a deliberate investment in the intellectual, administrative and ethical capacity of the university’s leaders was non-negotiable if it is to advance beyond its current stage.
The cleric described the retreat as a cornerstone of the vice chancellor’s strategic vision to build leadership that is ‘future-ready, innovative, competitive and deeply committed to excellence,’ stressing that modern university leadership demanded strategic thinking and stewardship beyond routine administration.
Drawing a parallel with ecclesiastical appointments, he reminded the leaders that their tenured positions reflect trust from management, saying such appointments must be handled with care and are not a guarantee of permanence.
‘This appointment is an opportunity. It is not everyone that works in a university setting that will live to become a dean of a faculty or head of a department. We should take it with every carefulness that it requires,’ he said.
Referencing the parable of the two sons in Matthew’s Gospel, one who promised to work but reneged and another who refused but later obeyed, Aladekugbe said this illustrated the tendency in modern society for ‘people to want the office, and not the work.’
He listed honesty, hard work and dependability as core leadership values, alongside respect, punctuality, clear communication and professional conduct free of gossip.
He urged the leaders to translate promises into action, steering the university toward excellence and global recognition, adding that ‘God values actual obedience and repentance over empty religious promises.’