Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye will on Tuesday, 15th June, 2021 hold its 96th Inaugural Lecture entitled “FUNGI: MAN’S COMPANIONS OR ADVERSARIES?” at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye by 2.00p.m.
The Lecture will be delivered by Professor Samuel Adegoke Bankole, a Professor of Mycology, under the distinguished Chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde.
Born on 17th March, 1967 in Obada-Idi Emi, Professor Bankole, who hails from Imeko in Imeko/Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, had his Primary and Secondary Education in Imeko. He proceeded to the then Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology in 1988. Immediately after the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, he registered for his Masters of Science (M.Sc) degree programme at the University of Ibadan which he completed in 1991. Thereafter, he enrolled for his PhD study at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan and completed it in 1999.
The Inaugural Lecturer joined the services of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye as an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Biological Sciences in 1991. Through dint of hard work, resilience and perseverance, he rose through the ranks and became a Professor in 2006 specializing in Mycology. Apart from teaching various courses in his area of specialization, Professor Bankole has equally taught courses in Biometrics, Soil Microbiology, Post-Harvest Plant Diseases, Advanced Mycology, Principles of Plant Disease Management, Advanced Mycology, Environmental Microbiology and Research Methods in Microbiology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has to his credit over 70 articles published in peer-reviewed Journals locally and internationally.
He has attended several professional Conferences and reviewed for several national and international journals, among which are Food Additives and Contaminants, International Journal of Food Microbiology, Mycotoxin Research, Food and Chemical Toxicology, African Journal of Biotechnology and Covenant Journal of Life and Physical Sciences. He has also successfully supervised two PhD theses, 10 M.Sc dissertations and is currently the major supervisor to five PhD students. Professor Bankole is currently the Head, Department of Microbiology and has held a number of academic and administrative positions within the University which include but not limited to Departmental Examination Officer, Biological Sciences; Sub-Dean Postgraduate, Faculty of Science; Chairman, Faculty Postgraduate Board; Coordinator, Student Industrial Work Experience (SIWES); Dean, Faculty of Science; Chairman, Development Committee; and member, Learned Conference Committee.
Also, Bankole has served as External Examiner to several Universities within and outside Nigeria, as well as, assessor for promotions to the rank of Professors to a number of Universities. He was a recipient of the International Foundation for Science Research Grant; Georg Forster Research Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Bonn, Germany; The German Academic Exchange (DAAD) Travel Grants and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations Travel Grants, among other international honours.
Professor Bankole belongs to several notable professional bodies and learned societies, including Humboldt Fellows in Nigeria, German Mykotoxin Society, Mycotoxin Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Society for Plant Protection, Botanical Society of Nigeria and Association of Industrial Microbiologists. As part of his services to the Nation, Professor Bankole has participated in several programmes towards enhancing national development. In 2019 and 2020, he was guest lecturer to participants drawn from security related jobs at the Nigerian Institute of Security Studies (NISS), Abuja, where he made presentations on the threat of Microorganisms as bioterrorism agents. Professor Bankole is happily married with children.
The Inaugural Lecture is expected to be graced by distinguished scholars, government functionaries, royal fathers, eminent personalities, staff and students of the University.
E-Signed
Niyi Oduwole
Deputy Registrar, Corporate Affairs Division
