Nigeria (University of Ibadan) Address By The Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, Mni Tuesday, 15 November, 202
DAY 2, TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER, 2022
ADDRESS BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR KAYODE OYEBODE ADEBOWALE, mni AT THE SECOND CONGREGATION FOR THE AWARD OF CERTIFICATES, DIPLOMAS AND ADMISSION INTO FIRST DEGREE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN ON TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER, 2022
· Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration)
· Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
· Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RISP)
· Registrar
· Bursar
· Acting University Librarian
· Provosts of the College of Medicine and of Postgraduate College
· Deans of Faculties and of Students
· Directors of Institutes and Centres
· Heads of Departments
· Members of Council
· Members of Senate
· Members of Congregation
· President and members of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association worldwide
· Members of the Students’ Representative Council and Executive
· Honoured Graduands
· Parents and Guardians of our Graduands
· Gentlemen of the Press
· Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Ordinarily, a convocation ceremony is a significant one. It is an important rite of passage for not just the graduands but also, by extension, the parents and well-wishers. This year’s convocation ceremony is doubly important given the fact that we have just come out of eight months of a nationwide industrial action by staff unions. The paralysis that the strike brought on the university system, the despair it inflicted on students, parents and staff of the university is such that made holding a convocation unlikely. That we are gathered today for this ceremony is a salute to hard work and kind understanding of staff members as well as resilience on the part of the students.
Therefore, it is important for me to doubly congratulate the graduands and to heartily welcome you all to the second day of the 2022 graduation ceremonies of the University of Ibadan. This note of welcome is extended to not just the graduands and their parents and well-wishers but also to our alumni/alumnae academic and non-teaching staff here present, friends of the university, our host and landlords, that is, the representatives of the good people of Ibadan Metropolis, and in fact, everyone present.
These times have crucial messages for all of us. For us as the university administration we have continued to ask and answer the question, how do we rejig and restructure administration in a way to lighten students’ burdens, ensure maximum productivity, and absorbs the shocks of disruptions? For students and the graduands, one lesson of this season that must not be lost on you is the power and desirability of resilience. As you step into life after school, situations will arise that will require you to call up your ability to exercise resilience, instead of giving in and giving up. Living and thriving, more often than not, is carved for only those who hope for an open door but prepare to deal with a closed one if that is what they find.
Today as you graduate, the Ibadan certificate will be awarded to those of you who have been found worthy in character and in learning. Character and learning are the two wings with which graduates of our esteemed university fly. I have no doubts that all of you present here have passed through the University and you have also allowed the great University of Ibadan to pass through you.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the 2022 undergraduate convocation has a total number of 5,227 from the Faculties of Arts, Science, Medicine (College comprising four Faculties), Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, the Social Sciences, Education, Technology, Pharmacy and Law. Out of this number, 233 candidates graduated first-class. Candidates from the Distance Learning Centre and Affiliated Institutions are also graduating.
Our achievements
Despite the attendant challenges that trailed academic and administrative activities in 2022 up till this point, the university has recorded different levels of feats. Although it is impossible, at an occasion like this, to exhaustively report all these achievements, kindly permit me to mention just a few of them in academic and human capacity building:
Ø In the course of the year, the Institute of Education started a monthly free capacity building programme for teachers in Oyo State Public and Private school for Mathematics, English Language and Basic Science. The programme kicked off with Mathematics on 4 February, 2022. There was an impactful training of 25 Mathematics teachers across Oyo State on the day. The training programme was tagged: Teacher and Learning Support.
Ø I am elated to report that Akintekun Grace Abiodun, a 300- level student of Botany Department participated in the 2022 National Enterprise Challenge organized by Directors of Entrepreneurship Centers in South West Nigerian Universities. Her agribusiness mobile application FARMERA made it to the second level of the competition, thus emerging as one of the top 10 innovations.
Ø The Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology hosted a capacity building workshop on ‘Seed Research Methodology, Data Analysis and Reporting’. The workshop, which was coordinated by Prof. Morufat O. Balogun held from 25 to 29 October, 2021 under the auspices of the National Agricultural Seed Council. The workshop which was the first of its kind incorporated interaction between resource persons and the participants in terms of hands-on training in medium preparation, aseptic techniques, equipment walk-through and post-flask management.
Ø The Department of Food Technology on behalf of the Western Chapter of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) hosted the 2022 Regional Food Science and Technology Summit. The Summit held on 6 and 7 June, 2022 at Olusegun Aganga Hall of the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
Ø A team of three students from the Faculty of Science were led to the Republic of Benin by Dr I. B. Ayinla for the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC). The University of Ibadan representatives won the West African Cup of Arab/Africa International Collegiate Programming Contest, 2021 edition.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me at this juncture; commend some of our members of staff and students who have distinguished themselves in various ways in both the local and international scenes. Indeed, you all have upheld the prestigious status of our dear university in your different capacities. Thank you.
I wish to express deep appreciation on behalf of the University to all our numerous benefactors in the outgoing year. These are already listed separately in the Order of Proceedings. We pray that God will continue to bless your endeavours and multiply your resources!
Commencement Keynote Address
At this occasion, we will have the 2022 Convocation/Award of 1st degree commencement keynote address. It will be delivered by Dr Kingsley Obiora, Deputy Governor (Economic Policy), Central Bank of Nigeria CBN.
I enjoin you Today, to keep a rapt attention and make copious notes to serve as leverage as you engage a new realm of life.
Once again, I congratulate all our graduands for their laudable achievements in this University. I encourage you all not to relent in your quest for knowledge as education does not end with the acquisition of certificates. Continuously seek emancipation through knowledge as the maxim: ‘knowledge is power’ aptly depicts. As worthy ambassadors of our great University, go out there and dominate your world
I pray God Almighty to grant you all journey mercies back to your various destinations.
Thank you for your attention.