Tribune reporter, Adeolu Adeyemo, wife bag PhD from OAU

Prince Adeolu Adeyemo, a journalist with the Nigerian Tribune Newspapers was among the doctorate graduands at the 49th convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, held at the institution Amphitheatre Hall, recently.

Adeyemo, whose wife, Dr. Lydia Funmilola Adeyemo also graduated from the same University, were conferred Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology of Education) at the OAU in Ile-Ife.

Dr (Mrs) Adeyemo was confirmed last year while Adeolu Adeyemo was confirmed on the 13th of December 2025.

Addressing the graduands, President Ahmed Tinubu said, “Your generation represents the hope and promise of a better Nigeria. Our nation looks up to you not just to succeed, but to make a difference in your chosen professions, in your communities, and in the global arena. Wherever life takes you as ambassadors of this university, remember to carry the Great Ife spirit of excellence, courage and progress.”

He further expressed his commitment to commercialise research findings, promote entrepreneurship and create jobs for Nigerian graduates.

The president said, “Government remains committed to dialogue as the surest path to lasting industrial peace in our tertiary institutions.

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“The Federal Government is, therefore, intensifying efforts to review the conditions of service and remuneration of university staff to reflect the realities of the present-day economy. In collaboration with relevant staff unions within the university system and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, we are already developing a sustainable framework that rewards dedication, innovation and productivity while also ensuring fiscal responsibility.

“Let us, therefore, continue to resolve our differences through dialogue and mutual respect so that our universities can remain open, stable, conducive and productive. We are expanding opportunities for collaboration among the university system, industry, and government.”

Represented by Professor Kabir Bala, a former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Tinubu stated that his administration is working to review the conditions of service and remuneration of university staff to reflect the current economic realities. This, he said, will ensure that universities remain open, stable, and productive.

He said his administration was intensifying efforts to review the conditions of service and remuneration of university staff to reflect the realities of the present-day economy. Collaboration with relevant staff unions within the university system and the National Salaries has created a sustainable framework that rewards dedication, innovation and productivity while also ensuring fiscal responsibility.

Also, in his convocation lecture, titled, ‘Raising a New Generation of Leaders for the World in Such a Difficult Time Through University Education’, the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, urged universities to start departments that will award degrees in leadership to graduates.

“We all want to be leaders, and we speak about leadership, but unfortunately, our institutions don’t have a department that teaches leadership. This is not good enough,” Akpabio, stated.

Senator Ibrahim said the 10th National Assembly under Akpabio will build a leadership centre for the institution, provided the management would start a department for the award of degrees in leadership.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Simeon Bamire, in his address, said a total of 6,5262 students graduated with various degrees during the 49th convocation.

Providing a breakdown of the graduates, Bamire said, “Undergraduate diplomas – 54, classified degree – 5,253, unclassified degree – 295, Postgraduate – 959”.

The Vice Chancellor commended the university council and management team for their unwavering commitment to sustaining the peaceful academic environment on campus.

The institution, during the programme, conferred honorary doctorate awards on notable individuals, which included Emeritus Professor Olu Aina, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, Engineer Demola Aladekomo and Alhaji Adeyemi Adeniji.