Gbenro Adesina
The first Nigerian female Professor of Psychiatry and a Consultant and Head of Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Professor Olayinka Olusola Omigbodun today emerged as the first female Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (UI).
Omigbodun emerged as the Provost in a keenly contested election with the former Head of Department of Radiation Oncology at College of Medicine/ UCH and Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee, Professor Adeniyi Adenipekun.
While Omigbodun scored 207 votes, her fellow contestant, Adenipekun scored 147 votes.
Earlier, she presented her manifesto during an online community forum tagged, “Voice of the Next Provost”.
The Community Forum, an interactive session with the candidates for the office of the provost, was moderated by the Director, UI Advancement Centre, Adebowale Adeosun, a communication and legal expert.
She vowed to do her best to move the College forward, stressing that attention would be given to the staff and students’ welfare.
She pointed out that the progress made by the previous administration would be preserved.
In her presentation, Omigbodun noted that she had laudable plans to move the College forward adding, “I care passionately about this institution and desire to see it reach greater height”.
She acknowledged the outstanding contributions of the previous administration and most especially, the administration of Olapade-Olaopa, saying, “If given the opportunity to serve as provost of COMUI, I will work hand in hand with the outgoing administration to build upon their remarkable efforts”.
She said, “My proposed agenda to move COMUI forward is in eight parts, which can be summed by the acronym: T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R. T stands for togetherness through conversations and collaboration, O, for optimising staff productivity and welfare, G, for getting our students ready for the global stage, E, for espousing an international outlook, T, for teaming up with UCH and other parts of UI for greater impact, H, for harnessing the power of our alumni, E, for enlarging COMUI’s financial purse, and R, for reaching out to the community”.
Promising that promotion exercise during her administration would be conducted online to ensure that the process is concluded faster, she appealed, “I hope you will cast your votes in my support and give me a chance to H.O.I.S.T COMUI T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R” with all of you and make our institution better.
Professor Omigbodun will serve as Provost of the College for a term of four years beginning from August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2024.
