Adewole, Alonge, others celebrate UI’s first college of medicine provost at 80

Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole; the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Professor Temitope Alonge; former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Ayodele Falase; and Professor Folasade Akinkugbe are some of the dignitaries that attended a symposium in honour of the first provost and pioneer CMD of UCH, Emeritus Professor Oluwole Akande.

The event which held at the Paul Hendricks Lecture Theatre of University College Hospital, Ibadan was in commemoration of the 80th birthday of the veteran medical lecturer.

Speaking at the symposium titled: “Exemplary Mentorship and Leadership- A life of Service and Distinction”, the Minister of Health, Professor Adewole, described the celebrant as a “team maker, an excellent administrator, a great negotiator, a visionary and passionate person, a quiet schemer and a great mentor in all areas. The University College would not have existed without him.”

The event also had in attendance, the vice chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Professor Friday Okonofua; and Professor Oladosu Ojengbede, among others.

In his opening remarks, the vice chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka, represented by the deputy vice-chancellor (Administration), Professor Kayode Adebowale described the celebrator as a person who is committed to duties and responsibilities despite his commitment to many things.

In his goodwill messages, the CMD, UCH, Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge, said it was needful to celebrate leaders who had made their marks impacting people’s lives and institutions in the country.

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In his presentation, Prof essor Oladosu Ojengbede described Professor Akande as “a very kind man who is always looking for a win-win situation; a simple, quiet but efficient operator and a great achiever’’.

On his part, Professor Friday Okonofua described the celebrator as a “trailblazer and an exemplary figure with unparalleled thoughtfulness; a shining epitome of humility and excellence who has demonstrated the best examples of Leadership.”

He stated that understanding mentoring as well as its application is strongly required in educational development in Nigeria, adding that improved funding and review of the curriculum of health institutions are important to ensuring the nation’s health sector attains international standard.

Emeritus Professor Akande, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, was the first CMD, UCH, Ibadan between 1978 and 1984 and the foundation provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan between 1980 and 1984.