By Olaeale Olalekan
Scholars and students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, gathered on Wednesday for an emotional yet inspiring first memorial lecture in honour of the late Professor Yetunde Adedoyin Ajibade, the trailblazing first female Provost of the university’s Postgraduate College and pioneer Head of the Department.
The event brought together colleagues, proteges, students, family, friends and admirers to celebrate a life dedicated to scholarship, leadership, and mentorship.
The memorial lecture was organized by the late Prof. Yetunde Ajibade’s proteges and the Department of Ars and Social Sciences Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife which was held at the Faculty of Environmental Design and Managent Board Room, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife was attended by bigwigs in academia in the country.
Prof. Ajibade, a renowned scholar of language educator, curriculum developer in 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. She was celebrated as a teacher to all, a builder of generations of academics, and a leader whose footprints remain indelible in OAU’s history.
The event afforded several speakers to speak about enduring legacies of late Prof. Ajibade, as former Vice-Chancellor, Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, who is also the Chairman of the event, described late Ajibade as a towering figure in academia, whose commitment to scholarship and mentorship shaped countless lives. His legacy of excellence and integrity will continue to inspire generations.
Speaking at the event, Professor Makinde Solomon, who is the guest lecturer, described late Ajibade’s as one that epitomised the best qualities of academia. “She was a great woman, a global scholar, and firm at duty,” he noted. “This memorial lecture should be made an annual tradition so that her name and good works never fade from memory.”
He called on the university and faculty of education especially her mentees to institutionalise the event as an annual gathering — a permanent fixture to celebrate her life’s work and inspire future generations.
“Professor 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 Nigerian academia’.
Also, Dr. Olajide Awopetu, the Head of Department late Ajibade, described her as “a woman of all parts” whose dedication to duty was second to none. “She is worth celebrating annually,” Awopetu said. “Her commitment to excellence and her enduring legacy make her a role model for every scholar.”
Dr. Bosede Adesina who is the immediate past HoD of the department, recalled late Ajibade’s tenure as the pioneer Head of the Department of Arts and Social Science Education. “She was the teacher of all,” he said. “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.”
Similarly, Dr. Wale Oladeji, Oyebode Oyetoro and Umar Hassana,
Chairman, members of the planning committee and 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,” he said. “Her position as the first female Provost of the Postgraduate College is a milestone that can never be erased.”
They noted 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 therefore, urged young scholars to learn from her example. “Be focused, know your goals, and be willing to be guided,” he advised. “Sometimes, firmness in mentorship may be misunderstood, but in the long run, you realise it was to prepare you for greatness.”
Barrister Badetito Obisakin and Taiwo Lokulo-Sodipe who spoke on behalf of the family, thanked organizer of the event for honouring their mother and sister, urging them to sustain the memory of their late mother.
Dignitaries at the event are Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Adeyemi Adediwura, Prof.Moji Oladeji, Provost, Postgraduate College, Prof. A. O. Ilesanmi, family of late Ajibade among other dignitaries from academia.
