According to her, “The incubator in a knowledge-based environment would thrive by incubating R&D result outputs and innovations from researchers and students. This will in turn encourages more researches and innovations and also increase the wellbeing of the University/ Polytechnic and its researchers.

“It is on the importance of the above that the Agency in its 2023 Capital Project has provided the sum of Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N8,500,000.00) while the total cost for the project is Eighty-Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty-Two Naira, Fifty Kobo (N87,769,342.50).  Also, the sum of Fifteen Million (N15,000,000.00) is projected in 2024 Capital Appropriation”.

She also noted that Olabisi Onabanjo University could also enhance their role through an effective and well-integrated incubation system for promoting, creating and enhancing entrepreneurial society through the universities’ mission.

“It is expected that the University should also provide counterpart fund.  Institution Based Technology Incubation Centre (IBTIC) provide a better context for generating revenues and supporting a financially, legally and technically win-win interrelation between Institutions, business sponsor, government and society.

“As a result, NBTI is ready to enter into Memorandum of Understanding with the University where terms and responsibilities of each party will be enumerated, while the MoU will be accompanied with NBTI’s Institutional Based Incubation Programme (IBCP).  However, am glad to announce to you that provision of infrastructure for IBCP to your institution is the first to be undertaken by NBTI”.

Speaking On behalf of the University, the Director of linkages and partnership, Prof. Joseph Ashidi commended NBTI for choosing the university to start off its Institutional Based Incubation Programme (IBCP) in the country, pledging that the University will give the Agency full support in delivering its mandate.

Prof. Agboola gave the commendation at a cocktail organised for the newly appointed judges by the Faculty of Law of the University on Wednesday, 1st March, 2023.

The Visitor to the University and Governor of Ogun State, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, MFR, had in February, this year, approved  the appointment of eight new judges into the State High Court sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Seven of the judges graduated from OOU and were sworn in at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. They included the Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Ogun State, Oluwafunke Omolara Odubanjo, Esq; Deputy Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Ogun State, Adeola Ireti Adelaja; Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ogun State, Adebayo Bamidele Adedapo; and Secretary, Judiciary Service Commission, Ogun State, Basirat Bolanle Adebowale.

Others are a Private Legal Practitioner based in Ilaro, Ayodele Adebayo Omoniyi; a Private Legal Practitioner based in Lagos, Sunday  Olufemi Adeniyi and another Private Legal Practitioner also based in Lagos, Abimbola Christopher Shokunbi.

In addition, Hon. Justice Oluwakemi Olokede-Obadina of the Osun State Judiciary, who is equally an alumnae of the University, was also honoured alongside her counterparts from Ogun State.

Making his remarks during the Faculty of Law event, the Vice-Chancellor said the celebration of the new judges was a delight, especially as it coincided with the ongoing 40th Anniversary celebration of the University. He noted that the University has come of age and could boast of graduates who are leading lights in their respective fields. “It is a good thing that we are celebrating all of you today. So many things are happening at the same time. This is the first time we are having seven judges out of eight appointed from OOU. This is also the first time we are having all the Principal Officers of the University being alumni. For the first time, the CMD of OOUTH is also one of us. I can continue to reel them out on and on,” he enthused.

Prof. Agboola charged the former students of the University to take active interest in the affairs of the institution, stressing that they should use the opportunity of the 40th Anniversary to make positive contributions to their alma mater. He added that the University had already set aside the Alumni Week, coming up in May, as an opportunity for all former students to interact and project for the future.

The Vice-Chancellor further intimated the judges of the importance of partnership and collaboration between the academia and industry stakeholders to enhance the quality of University products. This, he pointed out, was encapsulated in his three Es agenda which involve education, employability and employment creation. According to him, the University plans to set up academic industry advisory committee to enhance the relationship between the academia and relevant industries for the benefit of students. “Again, what I’ve seen today makes me happy. The Faculty does not need to start looking for Advisory Committee anymore from outside. We have enough from inside. Because we want to start having academic industry advisory committee in such a way that what they are doing outside there, before our students leave the University system, they should be able to do all those things. I want a situation whereby before the students finish from this school, they should be able to have those three Es that we are talking about,” he said. The Vice-Chancellor lauded the Faculty of Law for organising the event and expressed optimism that the institution would in no distant future have the opportunity to celebrate one of its own as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Earlier in his welcome charge at the event, the Acting Dean, Faculty of Law, Dr Gbade Akinriimade, said it was a thing of joy that the State Government, for the first time, appointed and elevated “quite a very large number of our alumnus” to the higher Bench. He noted that the development confirmed the fact that OOU had been making waves in a lot of human endeavours.

Akinriimade said, “We have all gathered here to celebrate some of our alumni. We thank God for helping them this far, and we have been blessed with a set of alumni that have benefitted the Faculty.  Like Oliver Twist, yes we may probably have the intention ofasking for more but it is only fair in the circumstance that we make efforts to appreciate those who have passed out from here.”

“While it is a time to interact, it is also a time to see how we can project our Faculty in the nearest future. While we have needs and a host of others, we believe that with God on our side, the sky is the limit for us.”

Responding on behalf of the honourees, Hon. Justice Adeola Ireti Adelaja appreciated the University Management and the Faculty of Law staff for considering them worthy of celebration. She assured of the readiness of the judges to contribute their quota for the development and growth of the institution.

Other Principal Officers of the University, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olatundun Oderinde; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Charles Adekoya; Registrar, Mr Femi Ogunwomoju; Librarian, Dr Adebambo Oduwole, and the Bursar, Mr Semiu Makinde, graced the cocktail.

Some other dignitaries in attendance were former Commissioner for Information in Ogun State, Chief Fassy Yusuf, and former President, OSU/OOU Law Alumni Association, Mr Olusegun Sipeolu.

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed this in his remarks at the presentation of Exit Report by a team of the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the Assessment of the Status of Student Support Facilities and Services in Nigerian Universities, which visited OOU for resource verification between Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st March, 2023. The three-member team, led by Dr Zakariya Kwanto, inspected some major facilities in the institution.

Prof. Agboola, while responding to some of the observations made by the NUC team, restated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of students through the provision of necessary facilities. He noted that the University recently carried out the clearing of bushes all over the campus with a view to creating more conducive environment.  He explained that the University had hitherto embarked on landscaping and beautification projects which accounted for the various walkways constructed to ease pedestrian movement in the institution.

“We have cleared all the bushes around. We want to establish more recreational facilities for our students. The University has invested in high quality ICT (information and communications technology) facilities to make learning more flexible for students. We have moved from radio wave to optic fibre which brought about efficient internet service with great speed. The plan is tomake available more facilities for these students so that they can sit anywhere on campus and use Wi-Fi,” the Vice-Chancellor told the visiting panel.

Prof. Agboola also stated that plans were underway to plant trees as fence hedge in the varsity towards addressing the challenge of lack of perimeter fencing. According to him, the University was sited on 33,000 hectares of land and it may be difficult to fence such a large expanse of land with the limited resources available to the institution. With the population of the University students, however, he posited that the tree planting project was feasible.

The Vice-Chancellor had earlier given a historical background of the University, noting that virtually all its programmes currently have full accreditation. He added that the University has done greatly in the last 40 years of its existence. He assured the assessors of utmost cooperation by the University Management and officials for the successful execution of the assignment.

Speaking earlier, the NUC Team Leader, Dr Zakariya Kwanto, said the visit was part of efforts to improve the University system. He thanked the Vice-Chancellor for the hospitality and cooperation received from staff of the institution. Although he mentioned few observations made by the panel in its preliminary report, he stated thatthe main report would be communicated by the Commission.

Members of the University Management Team who received the NUC delegation included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olatundun Oderinde; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Charles Adekoya; Registrar, Mr Femi Ogunwomoju; Librarian, Dr Adebambo Oduwole; and Bursar, Mr Semiu Makinde.

Meanwhile, two other panels from the NUC have similarly visited the University for resource verification. These included the Accreditation Teams on Research and Centre for Continuing Education.

After visiting the various Departments to assess their respective programmes, the accreditation teams returned to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office to submit their Exit Reports. In their briefings, the Panel Chairmen declared that there were marked improvement in the University in terms of infrastructures and facilities. They also commended the prevailing ambience and serene environment of the campus as well as the safety arrangements put in place by the University Management.

The NUC Accreditation Team on Research comprised Mrs Tola Oludare and Mr Henry Okpala while the panel on Centre for Continuing Education included Mr Innocent Ogwuche, Ms. Nora Effiong Hero and Mr Bamah Francis Uche.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dele Adesina, has said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must be fully energised with reasonable budget and adequate personnel accompanied with proper and solid training to carry out the onerous task of fighting corruption in the country. The legal luminary attributed the humongous level of poverty among Nigerians to corruption, stressing that things must henceforth be done differently to achieve a better society.

Adesina, a former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Life Member of the Distinguished Body of Benchers, made the call while delivering the 2022 Annual Lecture of Faculty of Law, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye. The Lecture, entitled “Law, Politics and Challenges of Prosecuting Economic and Financial Crimes in Nigeria” was held on Wednesday 22nd March, 2023 at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye.

According to the Guest Lecturer, the EFCC and its operations have been one of the most debated and talked about institutions since the establishment of the anti-graft agency by the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2002. He noted that while some commentators have applauded the activities of the Commission as one of the best things to have happened to Nigeria, others have condemned its commando-like operational modalities and insisted that its activities are selective and occasionally constitute an affront on the Rule of Law.

“Whichever side of the divide one may belong, one thing is definite: today in Nigeria, you can only ignore the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at your own peril. While it is true that impunity still reigns supreme in the country, at least people are much more careful than ever before. It will not be an over-statement if I say that the fear of EFCC is gradually becoming the beginning of wisdom both in the private and public sectors of the country’s economy,” he said. Adesina, who attributed the failure of Nigeria to achieve greatness to corruption, affirmed that sundry stories of arraignment and prosecution of past and present government functionaries for various fraudulent practices simply explained the indispensability of the EFCC and its sister agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

While espousing the challenges of prosecuting economic and financial crimes in Nigeria, the foremost legal practitioner stated that the threats are systemic, structural and attitudinal, adding that they often pose debilitating challenges to efficient and speedy administration of justice in the country.  Adesina explained that the establishment of EFCC, investigation and arrest, bail process, preliminary and clearing house applications, the trial process, computer generated evidence and constitutional right to fair hearing are some of the inherent sources of procedural challenges to efficient prosecution of economic and financial crimes.

Aside the foregoing, the erudite lawyer disclosed that substantive matters such as delay and congestion, attitude of the practitioners, including advocates and judicial officers, media trials, inadequate funding as well as politics and policies constitute additional threats to the prosecution of economic and financial crimes and justice administration generally in Nigeria. He said, “It is well known that delay and congestion are major challenges facing administration of justice in Nigeria, notwithstanding the attempt made by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to prioritise criminal matters. It is my humble submission that delay in our courts are the direct consequences of the system and structure of our justice administration.”

“Our Constitution established a triangular structure of judicial system. This structure in itself makes speedy dispensation of justice whether in civil or criminal cases extremely difficult, if not impossible.”

Adesina advocated the appointment of more judges for the nation’s courts and also enjoined legal practitioners and judicial officers to desist from negative attitudes which constitute “roadblocks” to speedy prosecution of cases in courts. The Guest Lecturer, who frowned at the inadequate funding of the judiciary in Nigeria, said the justice sector must be properly funded to bring about efficient administration of justice.

“Go to some of the states in the Federation, the court buildings are dilapidated. Many have no functional generators to back up energy supply. Where they have backup generators, there is no money to run them. Yet, we profess to be running a constitutional democracy where Rule of Law must reign supreme,” he remarked.

Adesina submitted that until Nigeria produces leaders that will place themselves at the service of the nation at all levels of governance, the solution to the country’s multifarious problems will remain a mirage and a hope that cannot be fulfilled.

His words: “We all know our problems as a nation and I dare say that we also know the solutions to these problems. However, we always technically avoid the problems believing that they will solve themselves. Please, recognise that no problem is ever solved by technically avoiding it. Recognise also that nothing works by itself. Things are made to work!

“In my humble opinion, until the politicians who rule over us get our priorities right, nothing and absolutely nothing will be right including but not limited to our justice system and so many other existential life issues in Nigeria such as the economy and security. Investment in the judiciary is an investment in justice. Investment in justice is an investment in democracy and I submit that investment in democracy is an investment in the development of the people.”

The Senior Advocate, who expressed gratitude to the Faculty of Law for inviting him to deliver the lecture, used the occasion to admonish the students to remain focused, dedicated and steadfast in their educational pursuit, especially as it relates to the legal profession.

Earlier in his opening speech, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, who chaired the event, said the topic of the lecture was apt in view of the prevailing socio-economic and political situation of the country. He enjoined the audience, especially the Law students present, to pay attention to the presentation of the Guest Lecturer.

On his part, the Acting Dean, Faculty of Law, Dr Gbade Akinriimade, said in his welcome address that the annual lecture was institutionalised to reorientate public discourse on topical legal issues, stimulate academic excellence for Law students, expand the frontiers of legal knowledge and endear the legal profession to the general public.

The Acting Dean, who explained that the Faculty could not organise the lecture series for a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), expressed delight that the 2022 edition eventually held after a couple of postponements. He thanked the Vice-Chancellor for granting necessary approval for the event.

Other dignitaries at the lecture included the University Registrar, Mr Femi Ogunwomoju; the Librarian, Dr Adebambo Oduwole; the Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, who was represented by Justice E. O. Osinuga; Kunle Ogunba, SAN; Barrister Adebayo Ayodele, and Chief Magistrate Kunle Sodeinde.

The scholar made the submissions on Wednesday, 15th March, 2023 while delivering the 106th OOU Inaugural Lecture at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye. The Lecture entitled, “The Great White Plague: Money, Power, Politics and Public Health” was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, and attended by eminent personalities within and outside the academia.

Prof. Daniel, who is from the Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, asked government to strengthen the primary health care system in the country and ensure medical services are equitable to reach the country’s poor, vulnerable and marginalised populations. He also called for the inclusion of tuberculosis patients in health insurance schemes to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses and catastrophic costs.

The Inaugural Lecturer, who described tuberculosis as a chronic infectious disease that is transmitted by the airborne inhalation of infectious droplets nuclei, said the disease remains a significant public health problem in the country. While lamenting its prevalence rate, he disclosed that tuberculosis is one of the top 13 causes of death globally, adding that it is now the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19.

He said, “In 2021, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with TB worldwide, of which 6.0 million were men, 3.4 million were women, and 1.2 million were children. Globally, the estimated number of deaths from TB increased between 2019 and 2021, reversing years of decline between 2005 and 2019. In 2021, 1.6 million people died  from TB, including 187,000 people with HIV.” “Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs in about 80% cases. Still, it can also affect any body organ when the TB bacilli enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs, including bones, skin, brain and vertebral spine which is usually accompanied by fever, weight loss, night sweats, chest pain, shortness of breath, tiredness, loss of appetite and hemoptysis (coughing out blood).”

Quoting the World Health Organization 2019 Global TB Report, Prof. Daniel stated that Nigeria ranks among the 30 high-burden countries where 87 percent of the world’s TB burden resides.

“The WHO estimates a TB incidence of 219 per 100,000 populations, translating to an estimated 429,000 TB cases in 2018. The country notified 106,533 TB cases in 2018, which is about 24 percent of treatment coverage.

However, with the increasing effort of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) and partners on TB case-finding, the country notified 120,226 in 2019; 138,591 in 2020 and 207,785 in 2021 despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which brings the treatment coverage rate to 44 percent,” he added.

Prof. Daniel declared that the persistence of poverty as well as social and political factors underlying the epidemiology of the disease have led to the current tuberculosis situation in the country. He bemoaned the poor budgetary provision for the nation’s health sector to be able to adequately finance tuberculosis control, adding that the government’s funding commitment to fighting the scourge of tuberculosis in the country over the years has been limited.

He said, “A nation’s health budget signifies the government’s policy direction and priorities. However, in the last nine years, the allocation to health has been consistently below the 15 percent set by the 2000 Abuja Declaration. In 2019, the health budget accounted for 4.1 percent of the total budget, which does not translate to budget release. In addition, the rising inflation rates, corruption, and the high recurrent expenditure of over 80 percent have adversely affected the development of the health sector.”

“The WHO estimates that 72.9 percent of the country’s current health expenditure is out-of-pocket. These out-of-pocket payments are direct payments made by individuals to Healthcare providers at the time when they make use of health service. This payment constitutes access barriers to needed services and further pushes patients and their families into catastrophic and impoverishing health expenditures.”

The distinguished scholar further observed that the political environments play a crucial role in how the social policies and the health systems affect the successes or otherwise of public health interventions. He posited that the causes of ill-health for millions globally are rooted in political, social and economic injustices, stressing that this is because the political system determines the health policy, resource allocation, workforce policy and the quantity and quality of health services available and accessible by the community.

While proffering solutions to the challenges of tuberculosis, the Inaugural Lecturer emphasised the need to address poverty and social inequality that fuels the disease and provide a better and brighter future for generations unborn. He explained that implementing public health interventions such as economic and social changes, environmental control measures, immunization and health education has been responsible for controlling and eliminating infectious diseases over several centuries.

He said, “The government should embark on programmes targeted at the vulnerable in society, such as women, children and people living with HIV. For example, it could include school meal programmes to boost the nutrition and immunity of children and therefore help them resist TB infection.” “In addition, implementing labour laws that protect workers with increased predisposition to tuberculosis, such as miners and those working with silica dust, will go a long way to reducing the burden of the disease. Furthermore, strengthening social protection initiatives for TB patients through food provision and financial support is desirable to enable the successful treatment of TB patients.”

Prof. Daniel also recommended that patients and community groups should be given a voice and made a part of the decision-making process on issues that concern them. He urged government to provide incentives to private professionals to refer and treat patients and to incorporate tuberculosis notification as a requirement for the renewal of the licence of facilities.

“There is also a need to strengthen a coalition of civil society to demand social accountability and social change from all levels of government and defend the patient’s rights. In addition, all healthcare workers should be encouraged to comply with international and national guidelines such as the international standards for TB care,” he said.

The scholar equally enjoined wealthier nations to support their low-income counterparts struggling with the menace of tuberculosis in the fight against the disease. “The international community needs to close the inequality gap in global trade and provide debt relief to address the structural poverty experienced by low-income countries. The Global Fund and other bilateral and multilateral agencies have invested in TB control in the country over the years to expand TB, strengthen the country’s laboratory capacity and deploy new technologies for diagnosing and treating TB. We call on them to do more to support TB elimination efforts in the country,” he added.

Prof. Daniel, who acknowledged that the Nigerian government had domesticated the End TB Strategy in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), called for collaboration of stakeholders, the community, civil society and the private sector to eradicate the disease.

“We all know we are good at producing documents and policies in this country, but implementation is usually a challenge primarily because of a lack of political will. Implementing the End TB strategy in Nigeria requires a focus on advocacy and collective action at all levels of government. There is a need for collaboration of stakeholders, the community, civil society and the private sector. We must also implement objective mechanisms to measure progress in implementing the TB programme activities,” he submitted.

Activities marking the 40th Foundation Anniversary of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye were flagged off on Tuesday, 31st January 2023 with a media parley and launch of the Anniversary Logo at the foremost state-owned institution. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, who addressed the press at the Senate Chamber, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye, disclosed that the University will commemorate the anniversary with celebrations spanning a period of six months, specifically from the kick-off date to 23rd June 2023.

The six-month-long celebrations, the Vice-Chancellor said, would be done in phases as approved by the Governing Council of the University. With the theme: “Lighting the Path of Academic Excellence” the events would also bring the University Community together with different stakeholders across the private and public sectors.

Apart from the media parley, the first phase of the anniversary included the Special Jumat prayers at Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque on Friday 3rd February and the Special Thanksgiving service at the Cathedral of St. Peter Ake, Abeokuta on Sunday 5th February.

The other phases will feature the Town and Gown activity from 28th March to 31st March; Students Week, including Miss OOU Beauty Pageant, talent hunt and other interesting activities from 13th April to 22nd April; and the Anniversary Lecture holding on 25th May. Three programmes are slated in the last phase in June. These include the Alumni Day scheduled for 16th June; the commissioning of Dr. Olusegun Asekun Law Resource Centre on 21st June and the Grand Finale comprising the gala nite, fundraiser and presentation of distinguished awards on 23rd June in Lagos.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the 40th Anniversary is to highlight the achievements of the University, celebrate its growth and successes and bring the University Community together, in a series of events and activities, with its Alumni, Public and Corporate World and the Society at large.

Prof. Agboola, who traced the journey of the institution since it was founded as Ogun State University on 7th July, 1982 and commenced activities on 31st January, 1983, said OOU has witnessed tremendous transformation since its establishment 40 years ago. According to him, the University has held 31 convocation ceremonies and produced over 265,000 graduates since inception. The Vice-Chancellor, who affirmed that the University has competitive edge, noted that its academic programmes have, over the years, enjoyed high ratings as evident in recent accreditation reports. He added that the impressive records of achievements of the University were attributable to the good leadership provided by the successive Vice-Chancellors of the institution.

He said, “The current ranking of the academic programmes, based on the accreditation of programmes in 2020/2021, places the University higher in professional programmes such as Medicine, Law, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Economics, Engineering, amongst others, than similar programmes in most of the universities in Nigeria.”

“A Webometric Committee that was established to improve the visibility of the University continue to perform, with the University web visibility up from its previous 26th position in 2017 to 18th in 2022, out of a total of 170 universities in Nigeria. We are the 4th State University out of 49 in Nigeria on the Webometric ranking.”

“These ratings gave rise to the good standing of Olabisi Onabanjo University among the comity of Nigerian universities. The University has made giant strides in the use of ICT to advance effective service delivery in terms of teaching and learning. It is on record that the University was the first to use Artificial Intelligence to conduct screening examinations for candidates seeking admission into the University;” he added.

Prof. Agboola pointed out that the University took a quantum leap within the last one decade with massive physical infrastructural development, colossal investment in laboratories and equipment, rejuvenation of academic programmes and floating of new ones, provision of hostels for students and staff quarters and improved security.

He explained that the establishment of a Directorate of ICT that fostered the development of the University website, robust internet network, e-payment and e-registration, introduction of computer-based results processing and management system, improvement in the road network and street lighting, major turnaround in the revenue base of the University, and restoration of unbroken academic calendar were among significant gains over the years.

While speaking on the University’s projection for the next five years, the Vice-Chancellor said his administration would consolidate on the various achievements of the past through six strategic intervention pillars namely Academic Excellence; High Impact and Translational Research; University Administration; Improving Student Experience; Entrepreneurial, Linkages and Partnership; and Improved and Sustainable Funding.  Prof. Agboola said, “The current administration, which came on board in October, 2022 is poised to take the University to the next level, towards the actualisation of the great vision of becoming a 21st century citadel of learning. This, it plans to achieve, by consolidating on the various achievements of the past administrations through the six strategic intervention pillars believed to be formidable in engendering the desired holistic development in the University.”

“With the aforementioned, the current Management aims to ensure the continued development of Olabisi Onabanjo University to rank as a world class citadel of learning, not only in producing quality, refined and employable graduates, but also in research and innovations. We are aspiring to be number one in Nigeria. All the parameters to achieve it, we have them,” he declared.

Other Principal Officers, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olatundun Oderinde; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Charles Olufemi Adekoya; Registrar, Mr Femi Ogunwomoju; University Librarian, Dr Adebambo Oduwole, and the Bursar, Mr Semiu Makinde, were present at the media parley.

Declaring the ceremony open, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the medical graduands for their perseverance, hard work and commitment which, he said, culminated in the induction. He urged the 28th set of graduating doctors to keep striving for the best and always remember the University as their source. Prof. Agboola, in his speech, also congratulated all the parents and guardians of the inductees, noting that their efforts and sacrifices had not been in vain. He prayed God to enable them to reap the fruits of their labour in good health and sound mind.

The Vice-Chancellor, who stated that the medical programme of the University was designed to equip and motivate medical students to practise medicine in Nigeria and anywhere around the world, assured that the institution’s Management will continue to create the enabling environment and sustain the current high standard and reputation of its programmes. He pledged that more attention would be focused towards improving the infrastructure, teaching and laboratory equipment as well as other facilities required to enhance qualitative training of medical students in the University.

He said, “Coincidentally, I am a product of this same College and I want to use this opportunity to appreciate all my lecturers under whose tutelage I have grown to become an exemplary alumnus, occupying the seat of the Vice-Chancellor of this great University today.”

“Our Medical Programme in this University was designed in such a way that you would be equipped and motivated to practise medicine in Nigeria and anywhere around the world.  The information at our disposal is that graduates of this College are doing very well within and outside the country. It is my hope that you will maintain the tempo and keep the flag flying.’’

“I advise you to continue to make use of the training you learnt here towards improving the provision of health care delivery services wherever you find yourselves. It is our hope that the training you acquired here will make you outstanding and better doctors; and I am positive that each of you has the power of transforming the ordinary into extra ordinary.”

“Let me also advise you to unleash your potentials and strive to be the best in this noble profession. As you have sworn the Hippocratic Oath today, please follow diligently the ethics of the profession and be good ambassadors of this University. As proud Alumni like me, always remember the University that produced you and contribute your quota towards its development.”

Prof. Agboola commended the efforts of the Provost, Deans, Heads of Department and the entire workforce of the College as well as the sustained synergy with the staff of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu. He also appreciated the Visitor to the University and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR and members of the State Executive Council for their contributions to the development of the institution.

Earlier in his remarks, the OACHS Provost, Prof. Adetola Olatunji, stated that the induction ought to have taken place about two years ago but for the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and strike that shut down academic activities. He, however, thanked God for sparing the lives of the graduands to witness the ceremony. The Provost appreciated the teaching and non-teaching staff in the College as well as the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) for their unquantifiable contributions to the training of the graduates. He admonished the new doctors to practise the profession with a high sense of integrity and responsibility.

Olatunji said, “There is no doubt that you have been properly and adequately trained to practise as doctors and there is no doubt that you will, but please do this with high sense of integrity and responsibility on your part, dedication to and interest of your patients at all times.”

“For those of you that may not practise medicine in future, let the discipline, morals and integrity associated with the medical profession guide you always. Though you may not be immediately and adequately rewarded financially, but you can be guaranteed of light at the end of the tunnel.”

In her lecture entitled “Be Prepared,” the Guest Speaker, Dr. (Mrs) Olabisi Dedeke, urged the medical graduands to explore new frontiers based on three Ps: plan, prepare and perform. She noted that the clinical environment was fast changing and would require the new doctors to make impactful contributions. Dr. Dedeke, who is a Chief Consultant Paediatrician at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, said while the coronavirus pandemic had transformed every facet of human existence, it behoves on medical practitioners to learn new ways of achieving goals.

The clinical environment is ever demanding. You are expected to always know what to do. You have to bring a lot of things to bear. This medical profession is a line on the fast lane; you are not going to reinvent the wheel but you must contribute your quota,” she told the graduands.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, who was represented by Dr. Kayode Oladehinde; the Chief Medical Director (CMD) OOUTH, Dr. Oluwabunmi Fatungase, the Elese of Ilese-Ijebu, Oba Oluremi Obayomi, as well as distinguished medical elders, Provosts and Deans, among other University functionaries.

The don made the submissions on Tuesday, 10th January, 2023 while delivering the 104th OOU Inaugural Lecture at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye. The Lecture entitled, “The World Cheats Those Who Cannot Read,” was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, and attended by eminent personalities within and outside the academia. Prof. Adekola, who is from the Faculty of Education and currently the Director of OOU Ventures, expressed concern over the reading habits of Nigerians which, according to her, had been negatively affecting the writing pattern of many people in the country. She lamented that most students only read and write because they needed to pass examinations not minding the mechanical errors that slow down their reading achievements.

Relying on data from the World Bank and other relevant statistics to support her position, the Inaugural Lecturer disclosed that Nigeria falls within awful high illiteracy index. She posited that about one-third of the country’s population remained illiterate citizens. She added that Nigeria and eight other nations together account for 72 percent of the world’s illiterate population. According to her, nations with high illiteracy level are handicapped economically. She regretted that only little success had been recorded by successive governments in Nigeria which had, at various times, launched different educational programmes aimed at eradicating illiteracy.

“Literacy,” she stated, “is part of the process of learning to read and write, and this can equip one for the defence of one’s political, economic, cultural and human rights. Literacy is commonly considered as the ability to read and write at some level of proficiency, and more precisely defined as a technical capacity to decode written or printed signs, symbols or letters combined into words.”

“The much cherished educational skills in the whole world are reading and writing. But reading takes precedence because one has to learn through reading before one knows what to write. Reading is one of the four major language skills. Others are listening, speaking and writing,” the don explained. While bemoaning the pervasive failure rates in yearly school certificate examinations conducted by internationally recognised exam bodies, Prof. Adekola attributed the problem to the absence of reading culture. She contended that the decline in the standard of education at the different levels was due to the fall in the proficiency of English language comprehension. She further revealed that based on findings of research studies, many students cannot spell correctly some common words that constitute the vocabulary for daily communication both at home and in school.

Noting that there is a general ignorance of the correct use of punctuation marks such as the comma, question mark, full stop and exclamation mark, the distinguished scholar observed that the situation had further been worsened by the popular use of the social media. She remarked, “Reading ensures consistency of learning. Once a person acquires a reading habit, learning will be continuous. Therefore, it will definitely lead to life enrichment. The ability to read at the highest possible level is essential to individual growth in the modern world. This is because reading is power. It develops the human mind and intellect.”

“It is regrettable that people do not engage in active reading anymore. Products of our schools are found to be deficient in their reading and writing skills as their performance in the two expressive skills is at variance with the other two receptive skills of listening and speaking.”

Prof. Adekola, who identified some of the challenges of reading in Nigeria, submitted that the current unmanaged contest among books, computers, home videos and the use of texts in mobile telephone communication had worsened the situation. She also listed as challenges poor teaching/training programmes relative to reading, poor and sometimes non-existent library facility at school and community levels as well as weak book production policy, especially with regards to reading both in English and the local languages.

Her words: “The development of a nation is consequent upon her literacy level. It must, therefore, be noted that a high level of socio-economic development of a country stimulates a high level of literacy. In our country today, the level of illiteracy has been very high, in spite of our long-standing age of political, economic and social independence. This is largely due to our poor reading attitude.”

The speaker, who pointed out that teachers are the pivot for the implementation of any education policy, underscored the significance of modern technology to literacy in the country. She stressed that for language teachers to be effective, they must be adequate in numbers, well-motivated, qualified and competent in the skills of language learning and teaching in order to enhance the use of technology.

The Inaugural Lecturer concluded that reading skills play vital role in the literacy level of individuals and posited that people who cannot read are illiterates.

“Reading remains the only way of extracting information from both near and far; people who neglect reading surely invite backwardness. In Nigeria, unlike the advanced countries like America and Britain, reading still attracts a third-class attention since the society obviously has a positive attitude towards paper qualification,” she said.

To ameliorate the unhealthy situation in the country, Prof. Adekola offered some suggestions, including bridging the gaps among educational policy makers, planners, executors and language experts so that reading can be accorded its pride and its importance can be felt in the society. She also stressed that efforts should be made to revitalise literacy level in reading skill.

The University teacher further enjoined educational institutions to place greater premium on reading, noting that emphasis should be given to both the cognitive and meta-cognitive aspects of reading.

“Reading and study skills should be cultivated in learners to stem the tide of examination malpractice,” Prof. Adekola recommended.

She added, “Teacher-training institutions must constantly evaluate their language education programmes as they relate to reading pedagogy so that pre-service teachers can well be grounded in the right knowledge, attitudes and skills that can foster the reading development of various categories of learners.”

“Individual is the ultimate focus of literacy development, learners need to realise that skills such as reading can only be mastered through constant practice, commitment, positive interest and a lively attitude.’’