UI Research Foundation unveils Uduimo Itsueli Foundation Building and Commissions Isaac Folorunso Adewole Library of Tomorrow (IFA-LoT)

On Saturday, November 16, 2019, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Ibadan, Nde Waklek, Joshua Mutka, at the University of Ibadan Research Foundation, unveiled Uduimo Itsueli Foundation Building and the Executive Governor, Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola commissioned the Isaac Folorunso Adewole Library of Tomorrow (IFA-LoT).

The UI-RF building was named after the Chairman, Board of UI-Research Foundation, the Rt. Hon. Chevalier Uduimo J. Itsueli for his devoted time and energy to Philanthropic and Charity works through Uduimo Itsueli Foundation.

The UI-Research Foundation created the Library of Tomorrow (LoT) to strengthen the competencies of research leaders in leading edge research and to foster “Gown to Town” efforts on sharing research information with all stakeholders for national development. The Library of Tomorrow was named after an illustrious alumnus and leader from the University of Ibadan, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole, who is the former Minister of Health and Vice-Chancellor of the University, created the University of Ibadan Research Foundation during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor at the university. It was revealed that the Isaac Folorunso Adewole Library of Tomorrow (IFA-LoT) consists of four (4) major platforms which are: Latest Research Information Dissemination and sharing Platform (LRIP); University of Ibadan Research Foundation Journal Club (UIRF-JC); Community Information Outreach Platform (CIOP); and Training Platform for Early Career Researchers (ECRs), Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) and Staff.

While unveiling the name, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Ibadan, Nde Waklek, Joshua Mutka, described the facility as the first among five structures designed for the UI-RF and as a beacon to all national and international stakeholders to join the University of Ibadan in its dedication to making innovations the cornerstone of national development. He also appreciated the generous contribution of Sir Uduimo Itsueli which has made it possible for the University to create a landmark.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University also said that the commissioning of the Isaac Folorunso Adewole Library of Tomorrow (IFA-LoT) would bring a platform for University of Ibadan to continue to show the reality that knowledge is power to elevate the nation. He further stressed that the information dissemination, Journal Club, Competencies training and the “Gown to Town” platforms are all validation of the great motto of the University of Ibadan – “Recte Sapere Fons”.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, said that the University of Ibadan has joined institutional regime with dedication to foster research and innovations for national development. He noted that the university has not only articulated the value of research but continued to lay emphasis on producing leaders who could use research and research results to address the challenges, capture the aspirations of the people and chart the path for national development. Professor Olayinka said that the University of Ibadan has taken the bold step to invest in creating platforms necessary for continual renewal of the competencies of students, faculty and staff of the University.

The Vice-Chancellor also revealed that efforts are being devoted to support the research leaders as well as strengthen the pipeline with emphasis on Early Career Research Scholars as members of staff of the university. In his conclusion, Professor Olayinka noted that the university could not, on her own, achieve the laudable expectations alone, calling on the stakeholders, alumnus and alumnae not to relent on their collective commitment as ambassadors for their Alma Mata.

The Chairman of the UI-RF, Sir Uduimo Itsueli, who the project was named after, urged early career researchers and the postgraduate research scholars to develop innovative works that could be patented. He also used the opportunity to thank the university Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, the Vice-Chancellor, members of council and other principal officers of the University for the honour bestowed on him.

The Director, University of Ibadan Research Foundation (UI-RF), Professor Ayoade M.J. Oduola, in his remarks, said that the social, economic and political growth of the nation depends on successful contributions and leadership of the products of universities and tertiary institutions. He emphasized that future leaders and members of the workforce being groomed by the University of Ibadan are expected to chart the path to prosperity, promote narratives on political stability and advocate sustainability of the life of the nation.

Professor Oduola noted that the role of the University of Ibadan in nurturing the Postgraduate Research Scholars (PGRs) and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) as members of the group to implement the knowledge economy paradigm for national development is indispensable and/or crucial, adding that it presents a critical cornerstone of efforts for Nigeria to retain the position of largest economy in Africa and to join the league of nations benefiting from the dividends of research for economic development.

While speaking on the Journal Club, the Director reiterated that the Club represents a forum to form collaborations, sow seeds of networking and facilitate ‘out of the box’ thinking that can lead to innovations, pragmatic approaches to socioeconomic challenges and strong competitive research proposals to seek national, institutional and international funding.

Professor Oduola concluded by calling on all leaders to join the university in its efforts to make research count for national development.

The keynote speaker, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Ondo State, Professor Friday Okonofua, in his address titled “Research, Access to Information and National Development” expressed his belief that IFA-LoT would occupy a vital niche in the implementation of research in Nigeria, primarily because of the limited infrastructure for research and development. He also described the project as a well-conceived project which would surely help the process of developing a new paradigm for fielding research in the country.

Professor Okonofua urged the university and the Board of UI-RF to extend the reach of the library of tomorrow. He appealed to them to endeavour to serve the entire nation and extend its outreach to the West Africa region.

The programme also featured Journal Club Session for Early Career Researchers (ECRs), Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) and senior academics which was anchored by Professor Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, a renowned professor of English and African Studies in the University of Ibadan.

Among dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Executive Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, the executive governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan and dignitaries cutting across academia, administration, politics, business, and social circle.

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