Amapakabo Bows Out as Yabatech Registrar with Her Integrity Intact, Says Council Chairman 

By Bennett Oghifo

The Chairman of the Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology, Barrister Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has praised the Registrar of the College, Ms. Biekoroma Charity Amapakabo as forthright and having high integrity.

According to Fagbemi, who spoke yesterday at a valedictory lecture held in honour of Ms. Amapakabo, whose tenure will end next week, the out-going Registrar had some challenges during her 10-year period but that she was “leaving with her integrity in place.”

The Chairman, who led all the Members of the Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology to the lecture said Ms. Amapakabo made positive changes in the institution as her legacy and that she would be missed dearly.

The Rector of the institution, Dr. M. K. Ladipo, while welcoming guests, the Chairman of the Governing Council and the Guest Speaker, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye, who is the Registrar and Secretary to Council, University of Lagos, expressed gratitude to God Almighty who alone has made the valedictory lecture possible.

The Rector said, “To our out-going Registrar, there is no word, however pronounced or expressed that can show our sincere gratitude. We appreciate the service you have provided for us all through your tenure. Although the journey was not all that smooth, we thank God for seeing you through. I wish you the best in your continued journey and I pray that God keeps up your good work.”

The theme of the lecture; “Leadership, Trends, Strengths and Dynamics in Tertiary Institutions” was very relevant and underscored the importance/role of leadership in tertiary institutions.

She said from a general perspective, “leadership is the art of leading and motivating a group of people in an organization towards achieving a common goal. It is the ability of an individual or a group of individuals to influence and guide others. It requires a balance of certain immutable traits.” The Rector said one of the traits was Integrity, stating that “leaders must have strong moral principles, demonstrate honesty, and uphold honour.

Also, she said there must be inspiration, explaining that “Leaders must bring people together from different backgrounds and points of view to create equal opportunities,” adding that there should be inclusiveness, saying that “leaders must reflect a genuineness in who they are and what they stand for.”

Another trait, she said is Transparency, stating that “leaders must be accountable and provide clarity on decisions and actions amongst others.”

The guest speaker, Dr. Ipaye admonished workers of tertiary institutions to be gentle on students and help them in whatever way they could to make their stay in school memorable.

Dr. Ipaye, who presented interesting and thought-provoking perspectives of the governance structure of tertiary institutions, gave a distinction between what she described as the “Command and Control Leadership system and Transactional-Transformational Leadership.

She said the Transactional-Transformational Leadership system was better because “Followers are influenced; decisions are reached through conversation; there is partnership, support and collaboration; information are shared for development; the team takes responsibility and institutional loyalty is fostered.”

The Registrar also discussed some challenges tertiary institutions experience, particularly those of “funding, the growing debate for fee payment, inadequate space for students, admission and government regulations, brain drain/staff mobility, corruption and attitudinal problems,” among others.