AN ACCOUNT OF STEWARDSHIP OF THE IMMEDIATE PAST PROVOST OF THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UI скачать в хорошем качестве

AN ACCOUNT OF STEWARDSHIP OF THE IMMEDIATE PAST PROVOST OF THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UI

When you ask people to make a choice between the gold and the good name, while some would go for the gold, others would rather go for the good name. Why? Because they know that it takes extraordinary efforts to have the two at one’s disposal. Guess what? I found a man who both possesses the gold and the good name. Professor Emiola Oluwabunmi Olapade Olaopa is the immediate past provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. He is an alumnus of the “Premier University” and also a professor of Medicine and Surgery. During his time as the provost at the College of Medicine, Professor Olapade Olaopa made significant impact and tremendous contribution towards the growth and development of the medicine institution. One of his laudable achievements was taking the institution from 10th position in sub-Sahara Africa and 15th position in Africa to the 1st in Sub-Sahara Africa and 4th in Africa respectively. According to the 2021 World University Ranking of African Universities based on Medicine and Dentistry, UI’s College of Medicine retained its position as the highest ranked Medical School in Sub-Sahara Africa for the second year, and ranking number 7 on the list in Africa, courtesy of Prof. Olopade-Olaopa. Talking about how he was able to achieve all these great feats which would only be achieved within a short period of time, the provost gave a comprehensive insight on how it was done As a tertiary institution, the college plays a significant role in the economic life of its host community, the state and the country in general. The road to success is undoubtedly narrow and wide but when you are blessed with a team of likeminded individuals of impeccable foresight, the whole journey becomes smooth and straight. Professor Olapade Olaopa reveals how he and his formidable team jointly proved to critical stakeholders, the significance of wealth generation, through investment in intellectual expertise. In every successful journey, there lies an inherent obstacle which might impede progression and bring a lot of setback. Even in the face of a global pandemic that silenced the world into a ‘new normal’ society, the ingenuity of the Medical Guru was put to bare. At the unveiling of a novel COVID-19 testing laboratory at the College of Medicine, the provost and some other medicine personnel decided to test the effectiveness of the lab by carrying out the COVID-19 test on themselves, but unfortunately Prof. Olopade Olaopa tested positive for the disease alongside his deputy provost and two others. However, the ugly development never got him discouraged from extending hands of love to the people as his team seized the opportunity to test a good number of people in the community. About 80% of the elderly tested positive for the disease asymptomatically. He saw the development as a blessing in disguise as he was able to raise funds and got donated COVID-19 equipment from well-wishers which he used to enhance the completion of the fully equipped COVID-19 lab ranked as one of the top testing labs in the country within two weeks and had it commissioned three days later. Only a man with unique leadership and visionary quality would achieve all these great feats, together with his team in the space of 4 years. The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan has indeed witnessed a historic administration under the leadership of a more determined, highly committed, very hardworking and exceptional Olaopa whose stainless and sterling performance will continue to reverberate in the anal of the great University’s history. His colleagues described him as a listening and very transparent leader who used his leadership position to effect critical changes such as transparency in the approval of funds and budgetary system for all Faculties and Departments, unique approach towards environmental hygiene and creating a peaceful atmosphere for staff, students and members of the community. Some laudible projects embarked upon and commissioned by his administration include, a decent security post; the newly renovated Alexandra Brown Hall; the renovated Prof. Akinkungbe Clinical Building; Wall of Laurettees; newly renovated Osuntokun Auditorium; Prof. Latunde Odeku Medical Library, Department of Biochemistry; Department of Physiology Research; 6 Animal Houses for the Nathaniel O Idowu Research Complex; Commissioning of the multi-million Nathaniel O. Idowu Multidisciplinary Translational Research Complex in the Physiology and Pharmacology Research Unit by the Vice President of the Federation, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Fibre-optic cabling of most college Buildings; he secured the approval of the Senate for the modified Doctor of Medicine (MD) Degree programme of the University; Re-opening the E. Latunde Odeku Medical Library and improving library Facilities; Commissioning of the Nathaniel Idowu Clinical and Drugs Trial Unit which is First of its kind in Nigeria; and Pre-clinical Lecture Theatre .