The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration of the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter O. Olapegba, FNPA, fspsp has described Professor Adekeye Abiona as an invaluable asset to the Students Affairs Division of the University of Ibadan in particular and the University of Ibadan as a whole.
He made this submission on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp at a send-off programme held to appreciate Professor Abiona for his meritorious services, having completed two terms of six years as the Dean of Students.
He said Professor Abiona is one of the most profound Deans of Students that the university has ever had, lauding his commitment to his job, adding that his strides lay credence to his experience and loyalty to the university.
The DVC disclosed that Professor Abiona is the longest serving academic in the Student Affairs division, having been an assistant hall warden, hall warden, deputy Dean of Students and Dean of Students, culminating into eighteen years of dedicated services in the division.
He commended the erstwhile Dean of Students for his ability to manage students from different backgrounds, social strata, ethnicity, age and religious affiliations, adding that even with the dichotomy between well behaved students and those with questionable character, Professor Abiona played a fatherly role perfectly in shaping the lives of the students.
Professor Olapegba commended the honouree for achieving minimal students’ crisis and agitations during his tenure, stating that even the ones that occurred witnessed his proactiveness and dexterity in handling them.
He noted that the Dean always saw himself as one of the students; hence, he found a common ground with them. He also appreciated him for stabilizing the division.
The new Dean of Students, Professor Demola Lewis, also lauded Professor Abiona’s dexterity in handling administrative matters and his large heartedness in dealing with students, particularly those with special needs.
Evidenced in his pursuance of a mental health policy for the university, the new Dean expressed his admiration for the honouree’s empathy, love and support for students, lauding his warmheartedness despite the enormity of the task of being Dean of Students.
While stating that his expertise and experience will be missed, Professor Lewis assured that the division’s relationship with the honouree would not be severed.
In a welcome address, the Deputy Registrar of the Division, Mr Suleiman Oyewumi had earlier disclosed that the essence of the programme was to bid a fond farewell to the Dean, adding that ten other members of staff who have been posted out of the division in recent times were also being celebrated for their contributions to the growth and stability of the division at their different level of service delivery.
Dr Abiola A. Omokhabi, the Warden of Queen Elizabeth II Hall, in a goodwill message delivered on behalf of hall wardens and assistant hall wardens, appreciated the honouree for his magnanimity.
She explained that Professor Abiona gave them the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of the university through their various halls, disclosing that being recommended as assistant hall wardens was the ground nest that prepared them to be hall wardens.
Dr Omokhabi warmly recalled that Professor Abiona was instrumental to the reinstatement of the Student Union after a ban on student union activities in the university, confirming his heartfelt disposition to being a father and custodian.
Members of staff of the Division and the Student Union President Mr Covenant Odedele took turns to applaud Professor Abiona for being an exceptional leader who impacted both staff members and students positively.
In his response, the honouree thanked God for strength and courage to serve the university while also appreciating the different principal officers who had reposed confidence in him to occupy the different offices in which he had served.
He warmly thanked his wife, who was present at the occasion for her support, endurance, and prayers, pledging to support the division in any form that may be required of him.
