Two erudite scholars from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Professor OlusegunAdebayo Lawal and Professor KayodeBodunrinOlurin, recently received the prestigious awards of the Fellow of the Zoological Society of Nigeria from the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
The colourful ceremony which was part of the 70th Anniversary celebration of University of Ibadan, was attended by dignitaries in academia, private sector and researchers from all walks of life.
The award of the Zoological Society of Nigeria was to commemorate the 70th year Anniversary of the establishment of University of Ibadan and indeed the Department of Zoology. The theme of the lecture for the anniversary was “Zoology-Ibadan: 70 years and still counting”, under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor A.I. Olayinka. Other eminent speakers were Professor Mark Nwagwu, the oldest living Professor that served in the Department, who delivered the lecture, titled, “Send me a signal”; Professor S.O. Fagade, Professor T.G.O. Okorie and Professor A.T. Hassan. Professor A.T. Hassan, an emeritus professor of Zoology gave the lecture titled, “My Memoirs”. The Chief Host was Professor A.A. Bakare, the Head of Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan.
Many academic dynamos graced the occasion including many Professors emeritus from different Universities in Nigeria that have excelled in the field of Zoology, while post humous awards weregiven to Professor Toye, Professor F.M.A. Okoli and Professor A.A. Adebisi amongst others.
Professor Lawal who is the current Dean, Faculty of Science of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, former Sub-Dean, Faculty of Science, Member, Business Committee of Senate and former Director, OOU, Centre for Entrepreneurial and General Nigerian Studies, had his Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology from the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan and his Master’s degree in Entomology from the same University. He thereafter bagged his PhD degree in Zoology (Entomology/Apiculture) from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, in the year 2009.He started his academic career with Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) as an Assistant Lecturer in 1996 and through the dint of hard work and perseverance rose to the position of Professor in 2014. He had been an External Examiner to Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (Postgraduate and Undergraduate Levels), Babcock University, Ilishan, Lagos State University, Ojoo Lagos. He had also served as Internal Examiner at OOU, Faculty of Science, College of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences. He had supervised many final year students’ projects and Postgraduate Dissertations and Theses.
Professor Lawal, who was overwhelmed and excited alongside other awardees found the award ceremony a joyous occasion and a reunion, with the pleasant opportunity of standing before their former teachers to receive handshakes and award plaques. He expressed his desire to see the Department of Zoology of Olabisi Onabanjo University, also celebrating its 70 years anniversary in years to come.
Professor Kayode B. Olurin, the Head of Department, Fisheries and Wildlife in the College of Agricultural Sciences, who was also a recipient of the award of the Fellow of the Zoological Society of Nigeria (FZSN) bagged a Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Zoology of the University of Ibadan and obtained an M.Sc. degree (Hydrobiology& Fisheries) at the University of Jos before returning to the University of Ibadan for his PhD degree. He was awarded the Ogun State and Federal Government Scholarships for his Masters and Doctoral degrees and joined Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago-Iwoye as an Assistant Lecturer in 1983. He has presented several publications both locally and internationally and his research interest covers the areas of Fish Biology, Fish Larval nutrition, Fish toxicology and Fish breeding. He had served as the Acting Head, Department of Plant Science and Applied Zoology and Chairman, Board of Survey. He is currently a member of the OOU Governing Council and also the University orator.
Prof. Olurin felt quite honoured for the award bestowed on him as he believed that he attained the feat through dint of hard work and resilience. OOU Bulletin congratulates the Professor of Zoology on this Award.
