Get Guardian on GoogleThe vice-chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Professor Ayodeji Agboola, has commended the contributions of a retiring academic, Professor Babatunde Munir Ogunsanwo, describing him as an accomplished scholar, mentor and administrator whose legacy would endure at the institution.
Agboola, represented by the deputy vice-chancellor (Administration), Professor Dipo Olubumehin, spoke at a valedictory lecture held in honour of Ogunsanwo, who is retiring after 37 years of service to the university.
The event, held at the OGD Hall of the university yeaterday was tagged ‘Ailele: But The Beat Goes On. It brought together members of the university community, colleagues, students and other stakeholders to celebrate Ogunsanwo’s academic career and contributions to the institution.
Agboola said Ogunsanwo joined the university in 1989 as a Lecturer II and rose through the academic ranks to become a professor through dedication, commitment and hard work.
He said the retiring professor’s contributions extended beyond teaching and research to university administration, where he held several strategic positions.
These included programme coordinator, dean of the Faculty of Science, provost of the Postgraduate School and director of Academic Planning.
He also served on the university’s governing council and chaired several committees.
The vice-chancellor said Ogunsanwo’s career exemplified commitment to academic excellence, institutional development and the mentoring of younger scholars.
He commended the Faculty of Science for organising the lecture, saying the recognition of accomplished academics should go beyond ceremonial celebrations to documenting their knowledge and professional experiences for future generations.
He added that the event would enable younger academics to learn from the experiences, challenges and achievements of a scholar who had devoted decades to the university’s development.
Agboola also thanked the faculty, university management and members of staff for their contributions to the success of the programme.
Earlier, the dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Olutunde Odetunde, recalled his experience working under Ogunsanwo when the latter headed the faculty.
Odetunde said he was an assistant lecturer at the time and that Ogunsanwo entrusted him with some of his earliest administrative responsibilities, including an appointment as programme coordinator.
He said the opportunity played an important role in his professional growth and understanding of university administration.
According to him, the valedictory lecture was not simply a farewell ceremony but an opportunity to document the experiences of a scholar whose career had encompassed teaching, research, mentorship and administration.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Ogunsanwo called on universities to turn their academic programmes into income-generating ventures, arguing that the funding of tertiary education should not be left to government alone.
The retired professor of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry said communities and other stakeholders also had a responsibility to support the sustainability of higher education institutions.
He urged universities to look beyond conventional funding sources and explore the entrepreneurial and commercial potential of the courses they offer.
