Students, scholars want late first female OAU postgraduate provost immortalised

ILE IFE (Sundiata Scholar) – Osun Students and scholars of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, have called for the immortalisation of late Prof. Yetunde Ajibade, the first female Provost of the institution’s Postgraduate College.

The students and scholars spoke at a memorial event for the late provost on Wednesday in Ife, Osun State.
The event brought together Prof. Ajibade’s colleagues, students and admirers to celebrate a life dedicated to scholarship, leadership and mentorship.

They said that Prof. Ajibade, a renowned scholar of language education and curriculum development of the department of Arts and Social Science Education, was not only the pioneer head of her department but also a visionary administrator whose influence spanned decades.

They celebrated her as a teacher to all, a builder of generations of academics and a leader whose footprints remained indelible in OAU’s history.

Speaking at the event, the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Solomon Makinde, Former Head of Department of Arts and Social Science Education, Lagos State University, described late Ajibade as one that epitomised the best qualities of the academia.

Makinde said that the deceased was a great woman, a global scholar, and firm on duty, and urged that the memorial lecture should be made an annual tradition so that her name and good works never fade from memory.

He called on the university, faculty of education, especially her mentees, to institutionalise the event as an annual gathering and a permanent fixture to celebrate her life’s work and inspire future generations.

“Prof. Yetunde Adedoyin Ajibade’s legacy lives on in the halls of OAU, in the careers of those she mentored, and in the standard of excellence she set for the Nigerian academia,” Makinde said.

Also, Dr. Olajide Awopetu, the Head of late Ajibade’s department, described her as “a woman of many parts whose dedication to duty was second to none.

“She is worth celebrating annually.
“Her commitment to excellence and her enduring legacy make her a role model for every scholar.”

Dr. Adesina, the immediate past Head of the department, recalled late Ajibade’s tenure as the pioneer Head of the Department of Arts and Social Science Education.

He said: “She was the teacher of all. Her influence will continue to linger in our hearts. She will always be remembered for her good works and her passion for raising future leaders.”

In a heartfelt tribute, Dr. Oyebode Oyetoro and Umar Hassana, mentees of the late Prof. Ajibade, highlighted her multifaceted contributions to academia.

“People often think she was just a language education scholar, but she was a whole educator — a mentor who grew generations of scholars.

“Her position as the first female Provost of the Postgraduate College is a milestone that can never be erased,” they said.

They stated that beyond her administrative roles, Prof. Ajibade supervised numerous postgraduate theses, developed innovative academic programmes, and championed initiatives to improve teaching and research quality.

“She was particularly committed to mentoring women in academia, inspiring them to break barriers and aim for leadership positions,” they added.
Oyetoro, therefore, urged young scholars to learn from her example.

“Be focused, know your goals, and be willing to be guided.
“Sometimes, firmness in mentorship may be misunderstood, but in the long run, you realise it was to prepare you for greatness.” she said. (NAN)