Seven professors who retired from the Department of Chemistry in the last few years were celebrated by the Department at a programme tagged “Celebration of our living ancestors” held in Trenchard Hall of the University.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, who is also a professor in the Department, was the Chairman of the ceremony. He was ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Professor Peter O. Olapegba, FNPA.
In a brief speech read on his behalf, Professor Adebowale noted that undoubtedly, the Department of Chemistry occupies an important and unique position in the University of Ibadan.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, it is the largest Department, in size, number of programmes on offer and the number of Professors per department.
Professor Adebowale added that the size of the department is not just physical size, saying that the intellectual size is awesome, and this has given traction to the department in the global space. The department boasts of the very best chemists in the country and the sub-region.
He noted that these accolades and laurels were made possible by the diligence, commitment, and foresight of the men being honoured and others before them as well as the present Faculty in the Department.
The Vice-Chancellor said it was, therefore, right to celebrate these great personalities in their lifetime.
“Our living ancestors, we celebrate you, and we deeply appreciate all you have done to make the Department of Chemistry great and for positioning the University of Ibadan at a vantage point. There is nothing we can give that will be commensurate to what you have put into this system. It is my prayer that God Almighty will yet lengthen your days, grant you sound health to enjoy the fruits of your labour. May I let you know our dear ancestors that for as long as the Lord will keep you alive, we will always identify with you and call on you for godly counsel,” he stated.
The Head of the Department of Chemistry, Professor Bamidele Iromidayo Olu-Owolabi, said the retired professors deserved to be appreciated for their contributions to the growth and development of the Department, as teachers of teachers.
The retired professors included:
■ Professor Olusegun Ekundayo, FAS, professor of Chemistry (Organic Chemistry), who joined the services of the University of Ibadan in January 1975 and retired in September 2010 but remained on contract with the University until 2020.
■ Professor Babatunde Benjamin Adeleke, professor of Chemistry (Physical Chemistry), who joined the services of the University of Ibadan in January 1977 and retired in 2012 but was on contract until 2019.
■ Professor Akinbo Akinwumi Adesomoju, FAS, a professor of Chemistry (Organic Chemistry). He joined the services of the University of Ibadan in January 1975 and retired in May 2018 but remained on contract until 2020.
■ Professor Rotimi Ayodele Oderinde, FAS, a professor of Chemistry (Industrial Chemistry) who began his career at the University of Ibadan in 1976 and retired in 2020. He was the B. Sc., M.Sc., and Ph. D. Supervisor of the present Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
■ Professor Mopelola Abeke Omotoso, a professor of Chemistry (Industrial Chemistry) who joined the services of the University of Ibadan in 1984 and retired in 2020.
■ Professor Folasegun Anthony Dawodu, a professor of Chemistry (Industrial Chemistry) who joined the services of the University of Ibadan in 1985 and retired in 2018.
■ Professor Timothy Isioma Odiaka, FAS, the first professor of Organomettallics (Inorganic Chemistry) in Nigeria. He joined the services of the University of Ibadan in 1981and retired in 2022.
Many of the former students and mentees of the retired professors had a lot of good things to say about them.
Professor Olusegun Ekundayo responded to the kind words and gifts on behalf of the others.
He acknowledged the hardwork of the present Head of the Department of Chemistry and her thoughtfulness in organising the appreciation ceremony.
Professor Ekundayo noted that the Department of Chemistry is indeed the first and the best in Nigeria because even though the seven of them had retired in the last few years, the Department still has eighteen professors of international repute.
This, he said was commendable given that there are some universities in Nigeria and abroad that cannot boast of eighteen professors campus-wide.
The celebration expectedly was rounded off with a lot of wining and dining while guests danced to melodious music provided by the UI Department of Music.
