Event of 15th, October 2012 marked another milestone in the history of the University of Ilorin when two Vice Chancellors, incoming and outgoing, of the institution were seated with the former ready to hand-over leadership after a five years of tremendous achievements, while the latter was full of anxiety to take over as the 9th VC of the better by far varsity.

The two personalities are Professors Is-haq Oloyede and Abdulganiyu Ambali respectively. During a press conference which preceded the hand-over by the out-gone VC, there is no doubt that Prof. Ambali was highly challenged and felt reluctant to take over the affairs of the institution owing to the numerous challenges and achievements highlighted by his predecessor.

Though, the ever ready new VC haven been guided by the success stories of Prof. Oloyede whom he always address as his 'boss' and zeal to take the institution to the next level, upon his take-over, he said: "I have taken time to understudy the former VC who anywhere and by whatever standards is an outstanding achiever."

Coincidentally, 15th October marked the expiration of the 5years tenure of Oloyede as the 8th vice chancellor while it also marked the commencement of the 28th convocation ceremony of the institution. Oloyede never adjusted the date in anyway and thereby handed over as at when due and avail Ambali to preside over the ceremony as a substantive VC.

People from different quarters said: "For a VC who has worked tirelessly with his 'blood and sweat' deserves a special convocation." But in the case of Oloyede, he rejected what people tagged 'special convocation' and publication of his lectures and speeches so far as VC, and adhered strictly to the university's guidelines and principle of getting things done.

He maintained that: "As a matter of tradition, the university does not celebrate individuals but collective achievements. Whoever is the new vice-chancellor, no matter how new he is on the seat, would statutorily preside over the convocation ceremonies."

In preparation for his handing over, Oloyede, a Professor of Islamic Studies, delivered his 116th inaugural lecture of the university entitled: "Islamics: The conflux of disciplines", he said: "People can survive without religion but they cannot survive without justice", the penultimate Thursday.

Being part of the University of Ilorin system since 1978 as an undergraduate, Prof. Is-haq Olarewaju Oloyede was born in October 1954. He hails from Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, bagged B.A. Arabic, First Class Hons, in 1981and in July 1982, he was appointed an assistant lecturer in the Department of Religions of the university.

In 1991, he had his Doctorate degree in Islamic Studies; he was elevated to professorial rank in 1995 also from the University of Ilorin and appointed deputy vice - chancellor, Academic, on June 19, 2003 and deputy vice -chancellor, Administration, on July 6, 2005.

In 2005, Prof. Oloyede was appointed co-secretary of the national political reform conference by President Olusegun Obasanjo. Also in 2006, he was appointed a consultant by the National Universities Commission on educational reforms in Nigeria.

He was at a time chairman of University of Ilorin Holdings Ltd, where he served as director, Unilorin Consultancy Services, among other business ventures of the university.

He was elected the vice chancellor on the 15th October 2007 for a single term of five years and is also the current executive secretary of National Inter -Religious Council, NIREC.

He had earlier urged members of the university community to cooperate with Professor Ambali, and other principal officers, appealing to staff and students to always have a positive disposition towards the institution so that it would continue to excel among other institutions

Meanwhile, in his inaugural speech tagged "The new dawn" Ambali assured the university community that his administration would further enhance capacity building of staff and also improve on the learning capacities of students.

"It is another dawn of progress, another dawn of commitment to quality service, another dawn of academic excellence and another dawn of institutional development. It is another dawn of hope and it is another dawn of greatness.

"It is another dawn of the continuation of journey started this month some 37 years ago towards the actualisation of the vision and mission of the university. It is with a deep sense of humility that I offered myself to serve, to lead and to stimulate the organs of this institution to greater achievements."

While seeking supports from members of the university community for the sustenance of the remarkable achievements on the campus, Ambali warned that heads of committees should always be ready to take responsibilities of happenings in their respective territories.

"With the cooperation of you all, I hope to, with full commitment and total dedication, sustain the academic excellence, peace and development the University of Ilorin is known for. I know that if we maintain what is on ground, it will be easier to take the university to the next level of academic excellence", he assured.

He however extended hands of fellowship to his co-contestants in the VC tussle, saying; "As I have a reason to say recently, many of the contestants for the position of the vice chancellor are as qualified as I am to head this university because of their wealth of knowledge and experience, but it is natural that there must be a single VC at time."

Until his appointment as the 9th VC of the university, Ambali was the dean of the faculty of veterinary medicine and became a Professor in the discipline at the age of 38 years old.

It would be recalled that at the close of a special Senate meeting of the university held on Wednesday 25th July 2012, the university council received the report of the council/senate selection board.

The registrar of the university, Mrs. Olufunke Oyeyemi addressed thus: "Having carefully considered the recommendations and guided by the provisions of relevant extant laws, the council expressed satisfaction in the procedure adopted which followed the due process.

"Consequently, in compliance with the extant laws governing the appointment of Vice chancellor, the council approved the appointment of Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali with effect from October 16, 2012?.

Born on November 29 1957, Ambali was educated at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, DVM (1981), and University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, M.V.Sc, and PhD, 1984, and 1989, elevated to Professorial rank in 1995 and became a Member of College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria, MCVSN, in year 2004.

In his congratulatory message to the new VC, Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed commended the Governing Council and management staff of the University Of Ilorin for embarking on a true democratic process which led to the appointment of Professor Ambali as the VC

The governor in his goodwill message signed by his chief press secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahaab Oba, said "There is no doubt that if democratic process can thrive in the appointment of leaders in a micro environment such as the university, I'm confident that the macro political environment in the country will soon become an epitome of political tolerance and democratic ethos, setting the pace for other nations of the world.

Governor Ahmed further described Ambali as a competent hand and mature mind who will not only sustain the good legacy of the institution, but also improve on the qualities which has made the institution 'better by far' Citadel of learning across the world.

The governor stressed the need for the new VC to also sustain the current harmonious relationship between the university and the host community and urged his co-contestants to join hands with the in-coming VC so as to consolidate the successes of building a promising future for the university.

Governor Abdulfatah congratulated Professor Oloyede for an eventful and successful tenure. "Oloyede", the governor said would be remembered for his resourcefulness, astute leadership quality, unprecedented infrastructural development of the school, discipline, humility and above all, academic excellence".

Also, the speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barrister Razak Atunwa described the appointment of Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali as the new vice chancellor of University Of Ilorin by the institution's governing council as apt in the bid at making the university a world class.

Meanwhile, having seen the appointment of Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali as the new vice chancellor of university of Ilorin by the institution's governing council described as apt in the bid at making the university a world class. How far can he go in his bids to ensure the sustenance of the growths and development in the institution?