Makinde Praises UI Prof, Olanike Adeyemo for COVID-19 efforts

Governor Oluseyi Makinde has commended the sterling efforts of the first female Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership, University of Ibadan, Professor Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo, for her invaluable contribution to Oyo State’s efforts at combating the spread of COVID-19.

At a special reception held at Ilaji Resorts, Akanran, Ona-Ara local, Ibadan to honor Professor Olanike by her friends and family for the completion of her two-term U.I tenure, the Governor was represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun.

Dr. Wasiu said that the contribution of academics in the state, led by Professor Olanike greatly helped Oyo State in battling the virus and limiting its spread.

He also said that the success of government- academia cooperation in Oyo State has shown that societal development largely depends on cooperation among all stakeholders to find lasting solutions to societal problems and forge new areas of development.

He further went on to describe Prof. Olanike as a worthy model that the younger generation should look up to and do their best to 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, described Prof. Adeyemo as an intelligent woman whose love for motivating youths to be their best selves and her achievements in academia were an indication of the quality of female leaders this country would soon boast of.

General Muraina also said that Prof. Olanike being the first African and Nigerian woman to be inducted into the African Academy of Science was an indication of how bright Nigeria’s future is.


“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.” He said.

The VC of The Technical University, Ibadan, Prof. Ayo Salami in his tribute, praised Prof. Olanike for her forthright nature and focus as well as her contributions to academia and the way she had shattered the glass ceiling above women, especially in African academia.

The Baale Ladogan of Iseyin, who is also Prof. Olanike’s older brother and the representative of their Iseyin community shared how proud the whole of Iseyin was of her achievements, praying that she would go on to attain greater heights.

The honouree, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo took the time to show her appreciation to her friends, family and associates for they had celebrated her that day, making it clear that she was nowhere near done and that she still had a lot to accomplish in her career.

She thanked Governor Seyi Makinde for giving her and her team the opportunity to serve the people of the State when the Covid-19 pandemic started, stating that Oyo State’s contributions were crucial to the joint efforts in limiting the spread of the disease.

She also called on the younger generation, especially women, to ensure that they remained focused and determined in all that they do, adding that everybody has the capability to contribute to making society better.