CELEBRATING THE UI’S AMAZING AMAZON: PROFESSOR  ELIZABETH ADENIKE EMEKE @ 70!!!

Seasons and history are truly spectacular, with men and women making lasting impacts that we will never forget. Despite not having wings, they are angels!
Our initial meeting had a strong emotional impact on me. I was unaware that Prof. Elizabeth Adenike Emeke was 70 years old until a few months ago. She is a bundle of energy and the personification of all that is pure. Thanks for the grace that keeps her going.
We met in 2000 or thereabout at a gathering of the Ibadan Descendants Union (IDU), University of Ibadan/The Polytechnic, Ibadan. The Union is a sociocultural organisation for Ibadan natives who work at the Polytechnic and University of Ibadan to network professionally and socially. It is interesting to note that IDU is one of the three societies, clubs, and unions that came together to form the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) in 1982. I had the honour of working for CCII in many capacities, including acting as the Secretary-General from 2003 to 2005 and the National Public Relations Officer from 2007 to 2009, among others.
Ever since our initial meeting, she has been referring to me as “my brother,” as though we are related by blood. Yeah, we are! I’m from Ibadanland’s Yemetu Oje Igosun axis, while she is from the Oke-Ofa Babasale axis.
She served with great credit ever since her employment at the University of Ibadan, as well as everywhere else they benefited from her efforts. As a respected dignitary of the Catholic Church, she ably fulfilled her role as a member of the governing boards of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan’s private schools in Ibadanland.
Prof. Emeke is an experienced researcher and educational evaluator with over 70 articles in local, national, and worldwide journals, as well as Books of Reading. Being married in a culturally diverse setting to Diokpa Emeke, having travelled extensively within and outside the country, and having served in various administrative and service-oriented capacities, she is sensitive to cultural diversifications in teaching, research, evaluation, and interpersonal relationships. She is comfortable engaging with people at all levels and in a variety of circumstances. Prof. Emeke is proficient in the use of Yoruba, English, and Igbo languages.
I have a special relationship with the husband, Diokpa Emeke too. He head-hunted me for a position and came to my house to discuss the matter with me. How Diokpa was able to identify my house and knock at my door, I don’t know in UI? It was a mouth-watering offer which I declined. It is another story for another day. I apologised to him for his love and gesture. Diokpa did it because of my relationship with my Auntie and to strengthen the bond between Yoruba and Igbo. Can anybody separate us? No!

By hard labour rather than by chance, you become what you envisioned. Professor of Educational Evaluation, Science, and Counseling Psychology, Adenike, my Auntie believes, feels, embraces, and becomes it. She completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the esteemed University of Ibadan. Not only is she a highly referenced Google Scholar, but she is also a dynamic, lively instructor and committed researcher.


While some people are just interested in the short-term and long-term, stakeholders defend sustainability over the long run. Her time serving as a pioneer member of the University of Ibadan Research Foundation’s (UIRF) Board of Directors speaks for itself. She has an excellent work ethic.
I recall anchoring an Inaugural Lecture in the University’s legendary Trenchard Hall and informing the audience, “In case you are feeling falling or funny, please draw the attention of our ushers to your health challenge, who will notify medical personnel from the University Health Service, also known as the Jaja Clinic for necessary attention. In the event of an emergency, there are side exits in the Hall through which you can exit.” According to Prof Emeke, someone who sat next to her stated that I sounded like a scaremonger. However, her daughter, who was with her in the Hall responded, “The man is correct because it is the practice in organisations that value safety. You must inform such a large gathering about the safety protocol.”
Every idea shared and every opportunity seized by her helped us achieve the heights in the university. Kudos to her efforts!
Her valedictory lecture titled, “SOJOURNING IN NIGERIA’S PREMIER UNIVERSITY: A COUNSELLOR- EVALUATOR’s JOURNEY OF GROWTH, RESILIENCE, AND HOPE” is scheduled for 2nd September, 2024, in the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan. However, I am busy, and she is aware of it. I will try to attend. I admire her. I know her thoughts will resonate with our thoughts.
Wrapping up, “as we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” -John F. Kennedy, former President of the United States of America.
70 hearty cheers to a remarkable woman of distinction! May Prof. Elizabeth Adenike Emeke continue to be blessed with good health, sound mind, and happiness as she celebrates this milestone. Cheers, ma!

Olatunji Muhammed Oladejo, JP, MNIPR, MANUPA
Director, Ibadan University Press (Publishing House)
University of Ibadan
Saturday, 31 August, 2024.

UI alumnus emerges 2022 first runner up youth of the year in Oyo

Dolapo Hamzat

An alumnus of University of Ibadan, Dolapo Amusat has emerged as the first runner up in the youth of the year category in Oyo state.
Amusat emerged as the first runner up in the youth category during the 2022 Oyo State most influential award series.

The event was organised in Ibadan, the state capital by Ibadan Media Limited.

Amusat was born on 22nd July 1995 to the popular Gbenla family in Ibadan.

He attended Concord Preparatory School, The International School, University of Ibadan, and completed his tertiary education at the University of Ibadan, where he studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

While in the university, he was an active driver of Arts and Creative initiatives. He co-founded the award-winning Uites Write initiative with his friends. This project helped showcase the literary culture in the Premier University and went on to win the ‘Student Initiative of the Year’ at the Students Union Awards.

Award.

His interest in creativity while being rooted in Engineering and Technology made his journey post-university more interesting. He went on to co-found Agbowo.org, an acclaimed African art magazine that has collected and published works from dozens of writers and artists across Africa.

He also founded WeTalkSound, a music community that started as a WhatsApp group in the University of Ibadan, that has now grown into one of the most important youth-driven entertainment companies in the country.

With WeTalkSound, Dolapo has helped support and develop several talented individuals from Oyo state and Nigeria as whole. He has also executed marketing campaigns for superstars such as: Reminisce, Timaya, Teni the Entertainer, Bad Boy Timz, and worked with brands like Aristokrat Records, Smoov Chapman, Boomplay, and many more.

He partnered with the team to bring superstar Bella Shmurda to Ibadan in January 2022 for a huge concert, and he supported the committee on talent hunt of Ibadan Culture week 2022.

He has been listed as one of the most influential under-30 youth in the Nigerian music industry by Pulse Nigeria and Turntable Charts.

In his professional career, he has journeyed through multinationals like Total E&P, KPMG, Bolt and he now works as an Associate Product Marketing Manager at Google, focusing on initiatives targeted at supporting African youth through digital skills.

IPYF Congratulates Professor Adebowale As He Resumes Office.

The Ibadan Prime Youth Forum (IPYF) on Monday congratulates the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan as he resumes Office, describes him as a round peg in a round hole.

In a statement by the National Coordinator, Dr Oluwatunmise Adeagbo said “On behalf of all the youths of Ibadanland under the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes with the name IPYF, we congratulate Professor Adebowale on this mile stone achievement. We knew when the agitation for having an Ibadan-born as the VC started, and we are happy that it’s happening while we are alive. It is not that the University has never produced any competent Indigene who are qualified for the position, but the problem has always been politics, we are glad that this time around, a competent son of the soil has been given the mantle of leadership, given his wealth of experience in academics and administration, we believe that he will make a difference”

Prof. Adebowale was born on 11 January, 1962 in Ibadan, Oyo state. He completed his B.Sc in Chemistry in 1984; M.Sc in Industrial Chemistry in 1986 and Ph.D in 1991.

The new Vice Chancellor began his academic career at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in October, 1991, as a Lecturer Grade II. He returned to UI in 1999 as a Senior Lecturer and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in October 2006. He had post-doctoral experience in Germany and Italy. His cognate administrative experience includes: Dean, Faculty of Science, 2009-2011;
Director Special Duties Office of the Vice-Chancellor, 2015-2017 and two-term Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), 2018 till he was appointed.

He is a Fellow of the following learned societies:
Science Association of Nigeria;
Chemical Society of Nigeria;
Polymer Institute of Nigeria and the Nigerian Academy of Science.

Outside the shores of the country, Professor Adebowale is a Fellow Royal Society of Chemistry (UK); African Academy of Science (Kenya), and Alexander von Humboldt (Germany). He is happily married with three children.

The National Coordinator of the Forum Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo also admonishes the the new VC to use his experiences to sustain and improve the standard of the University achievement both in academics and other areas.

“Let me also add that University of Ibadan is known for greatness, the University has won many medals in Science, Arts and other areas, we want the new VC to sustain this and improve on them, we have no doubt in his ability to succeed and we pray that the Lord be with him”

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