The governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde has commended the efforts of the first female Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership of the University of Ibadan, Professor Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo, for providing support to the State at the outset of combating the spread of the dreaded Covid-19 virus.
Makinde said this at a special reception, held in honour of Professor Adenike on Thursday evening, by friends, family and associates of the scholar at Ilaji Resorts, Akanran, Ona-Ara local government in Ibadan, as she completed her two-term tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of the premier University.
The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, said the contribution of the team from the ivory tower, led by Olanike, towards assisting the State curtailing the spread of the virus, made Oyo State one of the States in Nigeria that successfully managed the curtailment.
He hinted that the cooperation between the government and the academic institution showed that societal development is hinged more on cooperation among stakeholders to find solutions to societal problems and forge new areas of development.
The governor thereby described Olanike as a worthy model that the younger female generation should look up to and emulate.
“We are here today to celebrate Professor (Mrs) Olanike Adeyemo for her success in contributing to piloting the affairs of the Premier University, the University of Ibadan, as the first female Vice-Chancellor, and for two terms.
“This enigma has done so much within the period of her foray in leadership positions as a scholar and an administrator, that we have to encourage our children to look up to people like her as role models, this is one way by which we can secure a future for our society and country at large.
“Oyo State is indebted to Prof. Adeyemo and her team for coming to the forefront at a crucial time, when the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic struck, I’m delighted to say their immense contribution made Oyo State, one of the few that controlled the spread of the virus, and we really appreciate this.”
The Chairman of the event, General Abdullahi Muraina, in his remark, described Prof. Adeyemo, who hailed from Iseyin as an intelligent woman, who love motivating the young ones to achieve greatness, saying her achievement in the academic arena is an indication of emergence of female leaders that would soon become forces to reckon with.
Muraina said, being the first African and Nigerian female to be inducted into the African Academy of Science gave the hope needed for Nigeria that the future of the country will be bright.
“Today, we can say without fear, that, being the first African and Nigerian to be inducted into the African Academy of Science, there is hope for the future of our country, here is an intelligent woman, who love to motivate the younger ones towards achieving greatness in their chosen fields and we should be happy that there is an emergence of female leaders here in our immediate community that would soon become a force to reckon with.”
The Vice-Chancellor, The Technical University, Ibadan, Prof. Ayo Salami in his tribute, praised Olanike for her contribution to global intellectual development, her forthrightness, focus and ability to break the glass of limitation, especially among the women.
The Baale Ladogan of Iseyin, who is the elder brother of the celebrant and representative of the community where she hailed from, Chief Olatunji Salami, hinted that the whole of Iseyin was proud of the achievement of the Professor and prayed that she attain greater heights ahead in her academic field.
While responding to the tributes, the honouree, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo appreciated her friends, family and associates for the celebration of her achievement, adding that instead of being fulfilled, she believed there are still many huddles to cross in her career.
She appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for giving her and her team the opportunity to serve the people of the State during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, as they team was able to complement the State’s efforts at curtailing the spread of the disease.
Prof. Olanike called on the younger generation, especially the female, to always have focus and the determination to become great in life, adding that in every individual lies the capability to make society grow.
Dignitaries at the reception include the Proprietor, Ilaji Resorts, Engr. (Chief) Dotun Sanusi, Hon. Shina Oyedeji, Dr. Habeeb Olamitoye of the Ibadan Central Hospital, Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on SDGs, Hon. Kunle Yusuf, Hon. Sanusi Shaba, Col. Adenike Akerele (Rtd.), Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade and Prof. Kolapo Hamzat, member, Oyo State Advisory Council.
Others are Chief Olatunji Salami, Baale Ladogan, Iseyin, Prof. Olufemi Adedeji, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Remi Raji, scholars from Universities home and abroad, business moguls, expatriates, friends, family members and other well-wishers.
