In a grand celebration, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, the first Nigerian female professor of psychiatry and first female Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI), was honored for her remarkable achievements.
The event, held at the Olubadan Hall of Academy Suites and Resources Hotel, Ibadan, brought together medical luminaries, alumni, and dignitaries to pay tribute to Omigbodun's pioneering contributions.
The get-together was organised by Abib Olamitoye Foundation founded by a former President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) World, Dr. Abib Olamitoye, who is also the founder, Ibadan Central Hospital (ICH) and proprietor of Academy Suites and Resources Hotels in Ibadan and Abeokuta in Ogun State.
Eminent personalities in attendance on the occasion included husband of the honouree, Prof Akinyinka Omigbodun, who had also served as a Provost of the College; new Provost of the College, Prof Temidayo Ogundiran, and his wife, Prof (Mrs) Mary Ogundiran; Dr. Abib Olamitoye, and his wife, Olubunmi; and the current President of ICOMAA, Prof Emmanuel Otolorin.
The honouree, Omigbodun, told newsmen on the sidelines of the programme: "I feel very relieved. It was a very tough four years as the Provost of College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. I started on the 1st August 2020 in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. We were all wearing face masks. Not only that; it was a time when there was a problem in the system, which was strike.
"In fact, there was a time that for 18 months, the university was on strike. Then in-between the18 months, for eight months, no salary. I did not receive salary for eight months. So, trying to navigate an administration in the heart of a pandemic and strike and strife, was extremely tasking.
"But I must say that I had an excellent team of people, particularly I must commend the Deputy Provost, Prof Fatai Adeniyi, a professor of physiotherapy. He is one you'll call an implementer. I had a lot of ideas running from my mind and he was working with me solidly to implement them. I think that helped us.
"Another aspect that I must say was very helpful was the fact that we have an excellent group, the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association. In fact, Dr. Abib Olamitoye is a past president ICOMAA. Prof Dipo Emmanuel Otolorin is the current President of ICOMAA.
"Our members are all over the world. We had 100 per cent support from our alumni. We have chapters in North America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, and of course, in Nigeria.
"I think that the way to go when you have a problem of funding in any institution is to get the alumni on board…
"I feel relieved because I think we tried our best. We have a lot of landmark achievements that God gave us. Of course, I have handed over the baton to somebody else. As a Provost of the College, I feel very fulfilled that I dd my best. I treated the college passionately, with perseverance.
Olamitoye, in his address noted that the "University of Ibadan, the University College Hospital Ibadan, and the College of Medicine of UI. These three organisations are my origin. They represent my alma mater.
"I did my first degree in Medicine and my second degree in Business Administration from University of Ibadan. I have been the past President of Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide. Our love, our vision, our hope, and our prayer stand as harmony for the various institutions.
"We also used the get-together to celebrate those who are upgrading our University, our college and our hospital. So, we have the Provost that is outgoing. She has done a lot for the College., and invariably for the university.
"So, we want to use this occasion to really let her know that we love her. We appreciate her, and we treasure the achievements she has been able to make during her tenure.
“This gathering is to celebrate the progress that was made in the last four years by the Management Team of the College of Medicine of the University of Ibadan, which team was headed by my good friend and former classmate in the famous Class of “85, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun.
“Aside from being good friends, I have had the privilege of also working with her in two different capacities, first as members of the local organising committee for the 30th anniversary of our class graduation from the College of Medicine in 2015.
“I was the chairman of that committee while she was the Secretary. Like I have testified over and over, Prof. Omigbodun was the most pleasant and organised person I had ever worked with.”
The President of ICOMAA worldwide, Prof Emmanuel Otolorin, described the get-together as "a joyous occasion. It's always a pleasure to be recognised for service, and I think that it's been a good thing by the Olamitoyes to get us all together to look back and recognise the service of the first female Provost of the College of Medicine.
"She's done very well, and she needs to be applauded so as to encourage other people.coming to the office, particularly women. It is always said that what a man can do, a woman can do better. She came into the office with her own style and with a passion, and with a lot of skills to which we are all grateful.
"She has left the Provost Office of the College of Medicine better than she met it. The foundation she has laid would be worked upon by those who are succeeding her, so that at the end of the day, all of the legacy projects that she started will be actualised."
The new Provost of the College, Prof Temidayo Ogundiran, Prof Temidayo Ogundiran, congratulated Prof Omigbodun for the great legacies she left behind. He assured stakeholders that the college would continue to wax stronger during his tenure of office.
He stated that he came with 'S7 Programme' to build on the achievements of the past administrations in the college saying: "Well, each administration has its own agenda and programmes. So, I have my own programmes for the College of Medicine, which, during the political campaign, was tagged 'S7'. It includes paying attention to students' affairs, staff development and welfare structural development, strategic partnership, service, oriented programmes, and sustainability.
"All these points are encapsulated in what is referred to as 'S7 Projects '' Looking at the S7 Projects, it encompasses everything that affects the in-and-out of the life of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan."
Dr. Abib Olamitoye, organizer of the event and former President of ICOMAA, praised Omigbodun's dedication and achievements, saying, "We want to let her know that we love her, appreciate her, and treasure the progress she made during her tenure."
The President of ICOMAA, Prof Emmanuel Otolorin, described the occasion as "a joyous celebration of service" and commended Omigbodun for leaving the Provost Office better than she met it.
The new Provost, Prof Temidayo Ogundiran, congratulated Omigbodun and assured stakeholders that the college would continue to build on her legacy.
This story highlights Omigbodun's trailblazing achievements and dedication to medical education, inspiring future generations of medical professionals.