THE Vice Chancellor-designate of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, has called for forgiveness and fence mending among stakeholders of the institution, just as he declared that the hardwork has just begun.
Professor Adebowale, who was announced as the 13th vice chancellor of the institution on Thursday by the Council Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in a statement released on Friday, appealed that “all the strained nerves must be calmed; all fractured relationships must be rebuilt,” just as he added “And I have begun and shall lead that process.”
He said: “We are sisters and brothers, irrevocably united to our vision for a global first-rate university. Join me and hold me by my word.”
While thanking people for their support, Professor Adebowale said: “I have received much more favour and support than one would have expected. But it was not I alone that you supported; rather it was the University of Ibadan, our heritage, that you supported.
“I am grateful to every stakeholder in the UI project; I am grateful to God Almighty.”
Professor Adebowale, of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, was first appointed as the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) by the Council in June 2018 and re-appointed for a second term in June 2020.
Born on January 11, 1962 in Ibadan, the new Vice Chancellor attended the University of Ibadan for his first, second and third degrees, respectively.
The new Vice Chancellor was employed as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Chemistry in 1987, and was promoted to the professorial cadre in 2006.
Adebowale held many administrative positions and served on several committees of the university, including Examinations Officer, Department of Chemistry, 2003-2005; and Postgraduate Coordinator, Department of Chemistry, 2000 – 2002.
Other positions he held are Sub-Dean (Postgraduate), Faculty of Science, 2002-2004; Dean, Faculty of Science, 2009-2011; Member, Committee of Provosts and Deans, 2009-2011; Member Committee on the Appointment of Emeritus Professors, 2012 to date.
The new Vice Chancellor was Convener, Investigative Panel on the Determination of the Class of Degree of two students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technology, 2013 and the Director, Special Duties, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, between 2015 and 2016.
Professor Adebowale has won several awards and distinctions: Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science, FAS 2012; Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, FICCON and Research Fellow, Alexandra von Humboldt Foundation, Germany 1996 to date.
Others included Regular Associate, Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, (ICTP) Trieste, Italy, 2003-2006; recipient, International Foundation for Science (IFS) Grant, 2002-2004; and recipient, African Union Kwame Nkrumah Continental Scientific Award for Science, Technology and Innovation, 2013.
He has also supervised many B.Sc projects, over 150 M.Sc dissertations and 15 doctoral students. He has published over 120 articles in both local and international journals of repute and he also has one patent to his credit.
Professor Adebowale is married to Dr. ‘Yemisi Ajibola Adebowale and the marriage is blessed with three children: Temitayo, Ayobami and Ayomitunde.
Professor Adebowale, who spoke shortly after his presentation, said he was not the best candidate but that God gave him the opportunity because there is work to be done.
He said “It is a privilege for me to serve. The Professor Adebowale seated here is not the best out of the candidates.
“God just wants me to serve.
“The University has gone through some challenging times and there are so many things we have learnt there.
“I am not the best but God just put me there because there is a work to be done.
“With the support of Council, Senate, workers, congregation and all others, we shall move this university to a greater heights.” Adebowale said.
Meanwhile, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) and top contender in the just concluded vice chancellorship race of the university, Professor Adeyinka Aderinto, has congratulated the Vice Chancellor-Elect Professor Adebowale.
Aderinto who came tops in the final eight before appearing before the VC Selection Board, stated that: “It is time to move on and support the new boss in the interest of our university.”
According to him, “Let me join others in congratulating Professor Kayode Adebowale on his emergence as our next Vice Chancellor. I also desired the position, and gave it my all, but it’s not meant to be this time around. It has pleased God, the decider of all affairs, to hand over the leadership of our university to Professor Adebowale for the next five years.
“We pray that Almighty God will grant him good health, wisdom and all that he may require to succeed in the office.
“After more than one year of an engaging contest, it is time to move on and support the new boss in the interest of our university. May Almighty God give us the grace to please Him in all our ways. Congratulations, Mr. VC.”
