Prof. Olugbenga Ige Assumes Office, Lists Priorities
The Acting
Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga
Ige, on Monday formally assumed office and said that he would focus on
deepening cutting-edge researches, stabilizing the academic calendar, and
promoting staff welfare during his tenure as the acting Chief Executive of the
Institution.
He
disclosed these while speaking at the end of a prayer session held to mark the
beginning of the new year 2020.
Prof.
Ige said that every student deserves to know when he would come to the
University and when he should graduate, adding that universities are globally
internationalizing themselves through researches and community service.
He also
called for cooperation from all members of the University Community to achieve
peace and development. He promised to engage and consult with everybody
including all the labour unions in the institution.
In his
words, “There are three reasons why universities are established. The first is
to train students, second is research, while the third reason is community
service. But without a stable system and environment, all those cannot be
achieved. So, our first priority will be to stabilize the academic calendar so
our students would know when to come in and when to graduate.
“Second
thing is we want to encourage cutting-edge research that will promote the image
of the university globally. All over the world now, universities are
internationalizing themselves through research. So, we want to focus on research
from all our faculties in order to promote global reckoning for our university.
“The
third one is the welfare of our students because without them, there will be no
staff. We have to take care of their welfare in terms of drugs at the health
centre, water in the hostels and halls of residence, and in terms of current
books in the library, among others. And above all, staff welfare will be
prioritized because productivity will depend on how well you have been able to
motivate your workers. Those will be our major focus within the next few
months.”
Prof. Ige
joined the services of the then Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti, as a Graduate
Assistant in December 1990, and rose steadily through the ranks to become a Professor
in October 2011.
A
distinguished Professor of Palynology and Palaeoecology, Prof. Olugbenga E. Ige
holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) degree in Botany from the University of
Benin in 1984. He proceeded to the Nigerian Premier University, the University
of Ibadan where he bagged a Master of Science degree in Botany in the year 1993
and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Botany with specialisation in Palynology
& Palaeoecology in 2004. As a teacher and researcher, Prof. Ige has taught
in various institutions in Nigeria. Currently, he lectures at the Department of
Plant Science and Biotechnology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko
(AAUA) Ondo State. He has engaged in notable collaborations and research works
in the following international academy and institutes of note: The Third World Academy of Science (TWAS),
Trieste, Italy; The National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India; The
Gautam Buddh Technical University, Lucknow, India and The Birla Institute of
Technology, Mesra - 835215, Ranchi, India.
He was a
beneficiary of the international research grant of the Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India. A member, Botanical Society
of Nigeria (BOSON); Member and former Vice President, Palynological Association
of Nigeria (PAN) and a Fellow of the Society of Ethnobotanists, India and
Nigeria Conservation Foundation.
As a researcher, Prof. Ige has contributed
prolifically to both local and international journals in science while several
of his articles have remarkably featured in notable international journals. Some
of his books have become a standard reference material in the field of Botany.
Prof. Olugbenga Ige has made indelible marks
in his commitment to community services. A cerebral leader with infectious
charisma and capacity. He was the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko branch between
the year 2002 and 2006.
Beyond his impactful service in the University
community, he was appointed the Chairman, Ondo State Independent Electoral
Commission (ODIEC) in 2011 by the Ondo State Government for a- five year
tenure.
A man of
overwhelming administrative experiences, Prof. Olugbenga Ige had equally served
the University in various administrative capacities and chaired several Committees
that are central to the development of the University. He was Acting Head, Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology
from 2005 to 2007; Acting Director, Industrial Training Unit in 2009; Dean,
Students Affairs from 2009 to 2010; Acting Director, Academic Planning Unit in
2010; Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science from 2010 to 2011; Dean, Postgraduate School before he was appointed the Deputy Vice
Chancellor (Administration) of the University in December 2016, a position he
occupies till date.
A widely
travelled researcher, he has attended several conferences and workshop within
and outside the country notably in United Kingdom, Singapore, Egypt, Ghana,
Kenya, India, Republic of Benin among others.
He hails from Ita-Ogbolu, Akure North Local
Government. He is married with children
and an amiable wife.
