1st Prof. Bankole Olusiji Oke Memorial Conference and Colloquium

On Tuesday, 9th August, 2022, the faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, organized the first "Prof. Bankole Olusiji Oke Memorial Conference and Colloquium." The two-day event of which the first took place at Dr Omolayole Hall International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan, was aimed at celebrating the memories and impact of the late lecturer, Prof. Bankole Olusiji Oke, in the faculty and University of Ibadan as a whole. The event is themed: "The Role of Visionary Mentorship in Biomedical Research: Implications on Human and Animal Health," and a lot of people were in attendance during the first day of the memorial conference.

Among those in attendance at the conference were: Professor Oyewale from the Department of Veterinary Biochemistry and Physiology, Professor Olopade, Professor Oziegbe, Dr. Akpan, Dr. Nssien, Dr. Aina, Dr. Lanipekun and Dr. Igado, all from the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Dr. Sesan, Dr. Akintayo, Dr. Gani Adeniran, Professor Adebowale, Dr. R.A.M. Adedokun, not excluding technicians and technologists all over the faculty.

The conference commenced at about 10am, with recognition of special guests. Afterwards, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Ola Davies, gave the opening speech.

The keynote Speaker, Prof. E.O. Farombi, a professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Toxicology, spoke about the role of visionary mentorship in biomedical research, and its implication on human and animal health. He mentioned that integrity mattered a lot in research, and without integrity, it is quite easy to mislead everyone. He also said that record keeping is very important in research, as it is capable of saving one from embarrassment. In his words, "Your research should be reproducible in other parts of the world."

The Vice-Chancellor represented by the DVC Admin, Professor Ezekiel Ayoola, also gave a speech.

Professor Francis Egbokhare, plenary speaker and Professor of Linguistics and African Languages, UI spoke on "Nigerian University System in Crisis." He stated that the system is characterized by repeated failures, and interventions have not solved the problem, neither have strikes. On how to avert the collapse of the system, he stated that massive spending on education does not always bring desirable outcomes, citing the unexpected outcome of the 2013 intervention by the federal government as an example. In his concluding statement, he said that there is no doubt that the university system is producing expected outcomes brilliantly, so no one should say that the university system is in a complete mess.

At the end of the opening ceremony, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of Professor Oke, after which a tea break followed. The end of the tea break signified the commencement of the scientific conference.

By Blessing Sodeinde