“Immortalizing its Icons is an Institutional Tradition at the University of Ibadan,” says VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, has asserted that the institution has sustained the tradition of immortalizing its icon over the years. 

He made this assertion during the commissioning of classrooms named after four retired academic staff of the erstwhile Department of Forestry, now Department of Forest Production and Products; and Department of Social and Environmental Forestry.  

Professor Adebowale noted that the achievements and values handed down by the University’s pioneering scholars have sustained its position as the first and leading university in Nigeria, reaffirming that their enduring legacies remain the bedrock of the reputation of UI.

He explained that the tradition started with the naming of the first hall of residence after Dr Kenneth Mellanby, its first Principal as a University College under the University of London.

The VC disclosed that the two Principals that followed, Dr J.T. Saunders and Professor J.H. Parry also have major roads in the university named after them.

The Vice-Chancellor added that the university’s central library which is an iconic library in the Nigerian educational sector was named after Professor Kenneth Dike, who served as the fourth Principal and first Vice-Chancellor, when the institution became an autonomous university. 

He lauded the Departments for the initiative, saying that naming the classrooms after the retired scholars is an act of appreciation of their contributions to teaching, research, mentorship, and the growth of forestry education in Nigeria and across Africa.

Professor Adebowale stated that the university cannot fully repay its founding fathers for the services they rendered, but such initiatives highlight their sacrifices and legacies.

He added that preserving the legacies of the distinguished academics is essential to strengthening the University’s tradition of excellence and inspiring future generations to uphold the ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service.

The Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Professor Adejoke Akinyele described the initiative as simple but profound, noting that naming the classrooms after the faculty’s legends is intended not only to honour their legacies but to inspire the future.

She said that the honorees laid the foundation of the forestry programme in the university, reiterating that through decades of dedicated teaching, research, and mentorship, they established its reputation nationally and internationally.

The Dean noted that the honourees planted more than trees; they cultivated knowledge, instilled values, and produced generations of leaders, disclosing that she is also a beneficiary of the values they delivered while in active service at the faculty.

Professor Akinyele reiterated that naming the classrooms after them would serve as a reminder to students to embrace hard work, dedication, and commitment to building an enduring legacy.

The Head of the Department of Social and Environmental Forestry, Professor I. O. Azeez stressed that the honorees were frontliners in forestry education in Africa.

He restated that the individuals who have distinguished themselves through exceptional service deserved to be recognized and celebrated.

Professor Azeez described the forestry programme at the University of Ibadan as one that has come a long way, evolving into a leading center of excellence and becoming a reference point for forestry education in Africa.

He disclosed that the building which accommodates the two departments was commissioned a year ago, and the two departments decided that the classrooms should be named after the honourees in recognition of their sacrifices as the founding fathers, whose legacies continue to shape the programme.

The Vice-Chancellor unveiled the name tags of the classrooms which were named after Professors Saka Obafemi Bada; Johnson Sunday Osho; Adebola Omodele Adegeye; and Dr Lasisi Ayandeyi Adebisi who also received meritorious service awards at the occasion.