Ekiti First Lady, UI ex-VC Olayinka bag NAEAP fellowships

The First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Abiodun-Oyebanji, and a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, on Wednesday urged young teachers and lecturers to be dedicated and resilient in training the next generation of teachers and policymakers in order to move the country forward.

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Abiodun-Oyebanji and Olayinka made the call while speaking at the 43rd annual conference of the Nigerian Association for Educational Administration and Planning [NAEAP], tagged ‘Ibadan 2024,’ which took place at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The conference had the theme: ‘Navigating Challenges in Educational Innovations and Leadership in Nigeria.’

The First Lady, who is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education at the premier university, was conferred with a Fellowship of NAEAP, while Prof. Olayinka was given an Honorary Fellowship.

Speaking after the conferment, the Ekiti State First Lady said she was delighted to be conferred with the highest honour in her profession.

She, therefore, urged young teachers and lecturers to be more committed and resilient in training the next generation.

Oyebanji said: ‘’I am so excited and humbled by the award. It is a professional body that I belong to, and it is the highest academic award. It is a plus to my career and to all I represent as an academic. I’m elated by this award.

‘’I will urge young teachers to be up-and-doing in this profession. This is a life-building profession. If you look at the education profession from the material point of view in terms of gratification, it may not be encouraging. But if one can be resilient and determined, you will see your students turning out well.’’

On his part, the former Vice Chancellor of UI, Olayinka, also expressed happiness with the award and the recognition of his contributions to education administration.

He called on young teachers and lecturers to continue to do their best in training the next generation of teachers and policymakers in the educational sector.

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The former VC said: ‘’It is an honorary fellowship. It underscores the little contribution one has made in educational administration in Nigeria. I am an academic staff here, teaching in the Department of Geology. In the process, one has held some administrative positions like Head of Department, Dean of the Postgraduate School, Sub-Dean, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and Vice Chancellor. So, it is really heart-warming and gratifying to get this award.

‘’My message to young lecturers and teachers is to continue to do their best to train the next generation of teachers and policymakers in the educational sector.’’

Olayinka also urged governments at all levels to provide the enabling environment for education in the country, saying, ‘’a country is as good as the quality of education that it is able to offer its citizens.’’

In his lecture, a distinguished NAEAP Fellow, Prof. Joel Babalola, called on educational administrators to stop lamenting and address the challenges in the sector.

The Local Organising Committee Chairman, Prof. Femi Akinwumi, thanked those present at the event.