Anchor University, Lagos, has appointed Professor Johnson Oladele Fatokun, former dean, Faculty of Science and Science Education, as the pioneer deputy vice-chancellor of the University. The appointment was announced by Prof. Joseph Olasehinde Afolayan, the vice-chancellor, during the University’s 15th Statutory Senate meeting held recently.
Reacting to his appointment, Fatokun, a professor of Computational Mathematics and Numerical Analysis, explained that the crux of his work is to support the Vice-Chancellor in achieving the corporate and the proprietor goals of Anchor University.
“The main task would be working with the Vice-Chancellor and mobilising members of staff to achieve the vision of the University’s Proprietor and that of the Vice-Chancellor. If we can work as a team, we will not only achieve these goals, we can easily surpass them. For me, I haven’t done anything yet. I feel I need the grace and the wisdom of God,” he said.
He also threw his faith behind the vision of having Anchor University as one of the five leading Universities in Nigeria within its first ten years of existence. Professor Fatokun based his optimism on his experiences from Universities he has worked before, citing the breakthrough he had at the take-off of the Federal University, Dustin-Ma despite demanding challenges. He said Anchor University has everything needed, from facilities, structures and excellent student-lecturer ratio to be all it should be.
“Whatever the heart of a man can conceive, he can achieve. That goal, though ambitious, is not outrageous. It is a moderate ambition,” he concluded.
Fatokun joined Anchor University at its take-off in 2017 from the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma where he was the pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor/Vice-President. Before his appointment as the DVC, he was, in Anchor University, the Dean, Faculty of Science and Science Education; Director, Academic Planning and Quality Assurance; Director, Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board programme, Anchor University; Chairman of many Committees including Staff and Students’ Disciplinary Committees, among others.
At the Faculty level, Professor Ernest Ikenna Atuanya is the new dean, Faculty of Science & Science Education, while Professor Lawal Adebayo replaces Associate Professor, Kpolugbo, Stella Nkechi as the dean, Faculty of Humanities.
Anchor University resumed for the fourth Academic Session on Sunday, 23rd September 2019 and will be having her Maiden Convocation in 2020.
Eseroghene Ayomah
