• Says UI sports academy aligns with renewed hope agenda
• Varsity appoints Nigeria’s envoy to Canada Adewole, ex-DVCs, 14 others as emeritus professors

The University of Ibadan (UI), yesterday, honoured Mr Kehinde Olaosebikan, a core loyalist of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with an “Iconic Friend of the institution’s Sports Academy” award.

The award was presented to Olaosebikan at the headquarters of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Kehinde Olaosebikan, PBAT-KO Grassroots Movement in Olomi, Oluyole Local Council in Ibadan, by a delegation from the institution on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. K.O. Adebowale.

Chairman of UI Sports Academy, Prof. Olufemi Adegbesan, said the honour was in recognition of Olaosebikan’s selfless service and immense contributions to the establishment of the Academy.

Also, the UI has approved the appointment of former Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Isaac Adewole; two former Deputy Vice-Chancellors and 14 other distinguished academics as Emeritus Professors.

The former DVCs appointed are Professors Emilolorun Ambrose Aiyelari and Ezekiel Olusola Ayoola.

Adegbesan noted that the university was particularly impressed with Olaosebikan’s commitment to sports and youth development, which has contributed significantly to the progress recorded in actualising the vision for the Academy.

Responding, Olaosebikan, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Midas Communications Limited, a global PR firm, thanked the Vice Chancellor and the UI team for the recognition.

He said he was motivated to support the Academy because it aligns with the sports policy and spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Olaosebikan, therefore, pledged his continued commitment to the full realisation of the university’s vision of making the UI Sports Academy the best on the continent.

In a document sighted by The Guardian in Ibadan, the appointments, approved by the Senate of the university, recognise the scholars’ contributions to teaching, research, scholarship, administration and the development of the institution.

The conferment of Emeritus Professorship is one of the university’s highest forms of recognition for distinguished academics, acknowledging their scholarly contributions and continued association with the institution.