UI College of Medicine Holds Special Academic Board Meeting in Honour of 13th Vice Chancellor

The University of Ibadan College of Medicine has held a special meeting of its Academic Board in honour of the 13th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, in recognition of his five years of stewardship.

The Provost of the College, Professor Temidayo O. Ogundiran, FAS, FAMedS disclosed that the special board meeting was not a mere ceremonial tribute, but an opportunity to acknowledge a tenure during which institutional aspirations received practical support, longstanding challenges were confronted, and important milestones were achieved in the development of the College.

He explained that the ultimate testament to leadership is not merely the length of time spent in office, but the depth of transformation achieved, the challenges addressed, and the enduring foundations laid for posterity.

On behalf of the College of Medicine, Professor Ogundiran acknowledged with profound gratitude and a deep sense of institutional pride that Professor Adebowale had facilitated significant interventions in the college.

According to him, addressing the prolonged electricity crisis arising from substantial indebtedness to the electricity provider was one of the most significant interventions of the Adebowale administration. 

He explained that through the intervention of the 13th Vice-Chancellor, a significant portion of the outstanding debt was settled, saying that this helped to avert a potential energy crisis and safeguarded the essential conditions for teaching, research and clinical training.

‎The Provost noted that the Adebowale administration also facilitated infrastructure development through the Federal Government's special TETFund interventions, adding that the commencement of the additional student hostel project during the tenure of Professor Adebowale was another notable infrastructural development that represented a significant step towards addressing essential accommodation needs of students. 

Professor Ogundiran lauded the 13th VC’s achievement in the structural and academic expansion of the College from four faculties at the commencement of his tenure to seven, highlighting that these developments reflected an enlargement of the College's institutional capacity and possibilities. 

He disclosed that the VC stood firmly in defence of the College's position that an increase in student admission quota must be accompanied by the facilities and resources necessary to sustain the quality of professional education. 

According to the Provost, Professor Adebowale demonstrated a willingness to engage directly with the College's leadership and participated in its activities despite the demands of his office.

Professor Ogundiran acknowledged the encouraging progress recorded in staff promotions during the Adebowale tenure, saying that the well-improved pace in the processing of promotion cases has been a welcome development for members of staff, for whom promotion represents both career advancement and institutional recognition of years of service and professional contribution.

He thanked the VC for his support, accessibility, understanding of the College’s peculiar challenges, and his commitment to the continued development of the College.

Other members of the Academic Board who also paid tribute to the 13th Vice-Chancellor were the Dean, Faculty of Nursing, Professor Prisca O. Adejumo; Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Professor T. A. Lawal; Professor Olubukola Adesina who represented the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Professor Jesse A. Otegbayo; the 11th Vice-Chancellor of UI, His Excellency, Emeritus Professor Isaac F. Adewole, FAS, (The High Commissioner of Nigeria to Canada); and Professor O. G. Ademowo. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, in his response reiterated that the University of Ibadan stood on three pillars: excellence, integrity and service, stating that many of the achievements recorded during his administration were the result of collective efforts involving the Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers of the University.

He described the work of a Vice-Chancellor as that of a steward, noting that the position came with responsibilities to the institution and the people he worked with. 

He added that the work of a Vice-Chancellor is to build on an existing foundation, expressing confidence that the 14th Vice-Chancellor would achieve more than his predecessor.

The 13th Vice Chancellor and other principal officers were later hosted at a reception organised by the Faculty of Nursing.