ADDRESS BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR A. IDOWU OLAYINKA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2019 CONVOCATION, 71ST FOUNDATION DAY CEREMONY, AWARD OF DOCTORATE DEGREES AND CONFERMENT OF HONORARY DEGREES AND FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN ON MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER, 2019 The Visitor to the University of Ibadan, His Excellency, President Muhamadu Buhari GCFR, who is ably represented by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde The Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu The Chancellor, His Eminence Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar,III, CFR, mni, The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Nde Joshua Mutka Waklek, mni His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso I, the Olubadan of Ibadanland 1 His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Aromolaran II, CFR, the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijeshaland; The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, MFR, mni, FNAL Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps Members of the Governing Council Vice-Chancellors of other Universities Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships) Registrar Bursar University Librarian General Officer Commanding 2 Mechanized Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command Director, State Security Services Provost, College of Medicine and of the Postgraduate College Deans of Faculties & of Students Directors of Institutes Members of Senate 2 Members of Congregation Heads of Departments President and Members of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association Worldwide Members of the University Community Gentlemen of the Press Celebrated Graduands of today Ladies and Gentlemen It is with great delight and gladdened heart that I formally welcome you all to this occasion marking the 71st Foundation Day Ceremony of the University of Ibadan and Convocation for admission to Doctorate Degrees of the University and award of Honorary Degrees and Fellowship. The University has marked its 70th anniversary with pomp and pageantry with a number of activities since the last Foundation Day ceremony in 2018 and the 70th Anniversary Committee would be winding up its activities soon. I most heartily welcome our Visitor, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who in the last couple of months commenced his second term in office. We wish His Excellency good health and wisdom to successfully navigate the ship of the nation. 3 I also warmly welcome His Excellency, The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, who is attending this special occasion for the first time in his capacity as Governor. His Excellency has been supporting the UI project in his personal capacity, even before he assumed office in May this year. Indeed I welcome all other State Governors and their representatives at this special occasion. I would also like to heartily welcome the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who is returning for the second time as Minister of Education. I must also welcome the Minister of State for Education. I wish to express my appreciation to Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, mni, MFR, FNAL, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) a focused and dedicated supporter of University education in Nigeria. I am delighted to welcome our Chancellor, His Eminence Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, III, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto, who has been a great pillar of support to our University. We acknowledge the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Prof Elias Bogoro, FAS, for his continued support. I like to use this opportunity to welcome His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso I, the Olubadan of Ibadanland. 4 I also especially recognise His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II as well as other Monarchs here present. I like to also welcome colleague Vice-Chancellors and Registrars from sister Universities, Former Vice Chancellors, Our Emeritus Professors and retirees from this University, members of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association Worldwide, Captains of industries and all other invited guests. APPRECIATION TO THE GOVERNING COUNCIL, MANAGEMENT AND STAFF I like to use this opportunity to thank and welcome our Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Nde Joshua K. Waklek, mni, for his guidance, excellent leadership and the outstanding role he is playing in the University of Ibadan project. But for the support and commitment of the Governing Council, to transform the University, our activities as management would have been more herculean. I am therefore grateful to all internal and external members of Council. It is pleasurable to commence another decade with our mantra in view “Sustaining the Legacy , Raising the Bar.” I must express appreciation to my colleagues in Management; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Kayode Adebowale, Deputy Vice- 5 Chancellor (Academic) Professor Adebola Ekanola, who is attending this ceremony for the first time in his capacity as DVC, the immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Adeyinka A. Aderinto, Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships) Professor Olanike Adeyemo, the Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Faluyi, the Bursar, Dr. Michael A. Alatise, and the University Librarian, Dr. Helen O. Komolafe –Opadeji. I would also appreciate the Provosts of the College of Medicine and of the Postgraduate College Professor Emiola O. Olapade-Olaopa and Professor J. Olabamiji Babalola and their two deputies, all Deans and Directors, Heads of Academic Departments, Master/Mistresses and Warden of Student Halls of Residence, Chairmen and members of various Committees of Council and Senate, all staff of the Registry, the Bursary, Audit, Academic Planning, University Health Service, and the Works and Maintenance Department, the Physical Planning and Project Management Unit, and the Campus Security Service. The four Staff Unions, namely the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) deserve commendation for their support and cooperation. I like to also use this platform to welcome my colleagues who have invested time and energy in sharpening the skills and research focus and ability of today’s 6 graduands. Let me also welcome and congratulate the parents, guardians, families and friends of our graduands. We appreciate your support and commitment for the realisation of the goals of today’s graduands. CONGRATULATING THE GRADUANDS I like to congratulate all graduands of today and to rejoice with you all for attaining this important milestone in your pursuit of a higher educational degree. I am of the firm belief that you will be good ambassadors of University of Ibadan while making positive contributions to the growth and development aspirations of the Nigerian State. There is no gainsaying the fact that the University of Ibadan has a pride of place in the higher educational development of the nation. It has invested in its Faculties for quality teaching and production of quality researchers, by building a time tested academic culture and tradition which it has continued to maintain and improve upon over the years. I wish to again plead with Mr. President that the University of Ibadan be given a special priority attention in form of Special reconstruction and rehabilitation funds as well as increased allocation spread over a period of say 10 years for the University to favourably compete with other top institutions not only in Africa but all over the world. 7 On Tuesday and Wednesday last week, a total of 7,430 candidates received first degrees in various disciplines across all our Faculties. Two hundred and forty one of the candidates graduated with a First Class Honours. A special recognition must be given to one of our students who finished with a perfect Cummulative Grade Point Average of 7.0. She is Ofure Mary Ebhomielen of the Department of Computer Science. With this honour, Ofure has become the fourth person and the first female to graduate with a perfect CGPA in the 71 year history of our institution. Your Excellencies, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, on Thursday and Friday the same week, a total of 28 candidates received MPhil, 3,290 earned Academic Masters degrees, 136 Professional Master degrees and 160 Postgraduate Diplomas. The overall three best students in the Master degree examination namely Miss Osanyilusi Titilayo Mary of the Department of Animal Science, Miss Owolabi Abibat Olayinka and Mr Adekunle Yemi Adekola, of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry will be offered offered employment as Assistant Lecturer or Lecturer Grade II, on the recommendation of their Deans and the Provost of the Postgraduate College. Today, one candidate will receive the higher doctorate degree of Doctor of Science. Dr Dagogo Jack, a member of the MB, BS Graduating Class of 1978, is 8 the fifth person ever to earn a D.Sc from this university in our 71-year chequered history. A total of 343 candidates, from various disciplines would be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The Faculty of Education leads the pack with a total of 70; followed by the Faculty of Science with 60 PhD