Professor Ayobami Ojebode has ceased to be the Head of Department of Communication and Language Arts at the University of Ibadan after 9 years of serving as acting and full-time manager of the Department. Our checks reveal that during this period, Professor Ojebode’s leadership recorded a number of achievements.
Check reveals that during his tenure the Department produced 41 PhD graduates and 13 first class undergraduate degrees. These are the highest in the history of the Department. The Department researches and trains students on varied aspects of communications, media, journalism and language arts.
Exhibit 1: First Class from 1975-2019
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This achievement was as a result of collaborative efforts of academic and non-academic staff of the Department and the University authority, our checks reveal. For instance, a number of present and past students note that during his headship, he was able to connect the Department with professionals in the industries, which enhanced understanding of internal theoretical and practical knowledge. In collaboration with the supervisors of PhD students, a number of issues preventing the students from finishing their research thesis were resolved. In addition to this, PhD students were mentored and trained through partnership with professionals in the industries.
Information has it that Professor Ojebode is the longest service Head of Department in the Faculty of Arts, the oldest Faculty in the University of Ibadan. As at the time of writing this insight, his post on Facebook, announcing his exit from the leadership seat of the Department, has attracted 138 comments and 214 likes including 2 shares.
Exhibit 2: Trends of Funds attracted to the Department during his tenure per select year
Reacting to his humorous post on Facebook regarding his exit as the Head of the Department, the new HOD, Professor Olusola Oyewo says “Where does my HOD think he is “escaping” to? Nowhere! We are in this together…”
A number of students and well-wishers have also expressed their feelings on his exit. “So, you have taken your bag and moved on after a very successful tenure as HOD? Congratulations. We wish Prof Oyewo a successful tenure of office too. This picture speaks a volume (Clement Olusegun Olaniran Kolawole).”
“Congratulations for a successful tenure, exemplary leadership and high standard you set for our department sir. May the Lord continue to make you outstanding. Hearty cheers and welcome to our new H.O.D Professor Oyewo (Kauna Lisa Wudiri Aganah).”
Congratulations to Prof Ojebode, a communications giant. Your leadership style is exemplary. To Professor Oyewo, another easy going giant in the field of communication. I wish you the very best, sir, though not a new terrain (Ogunlade Steve).”
Aaaaaaw! We will miss seeing you in that office. However, wherever you go, we are on your trail.
Congratulations to him and best wishes all the way. His students love’s him and that’s okay.
Honestly, the likes of the out- going HOD, Prof. Ojebode, prof. Oyewo, the in- coming HOD of My beloved CLA Dept. And others in that Dept. Created a lot of confidence in me. They tutored and mentored us to achieve successes we have recorded in our fields of endeavours. I congratulate prof. Ojebode for the great heights he has reached and pray Allah to give him long live , good health and happiness to do more. I also pray that Allah should endow our Prof. Oyewo divine wisdom, sound health and long live to achieve more heights for the CLA Dept.