Oko-Irese, Kwara State, Nigeria
December 07, 2023
It is with great pleasure and a profound sense of honor that I welcome you all to the inaugural Distinguished University Public Lecture at Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese. Today marks a significant milestone in the rich tapestry of our academic journey, as we gather here for what promises to be an enlightening discourse by our esteemed speaker.
This distinguished lecture is a testament to our commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and the pursuit of knowledge. As a community of scholars, we believe in the transformative power of ideas and the impact they can have on shaping not only our academic pursuits but also the broader society.
The choice of our distinguished speaker, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN (Professor of Practice, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti) for the first Distinguished Public Lecture reflects our dedication to bringing to our campus, voices that are at the forefront of their respective fields, and individual whose insights and experiences inspire us to think critically and engage meaningfully with the world around us. The choice also reinforces our commitment to continue to attract positive attention to our host community, Oko-Irese.
The theme of today's lecture, “Decolonizing African Education to Empower the Next Generation”, is particularly apt as the history of education on the African continent has been shaped by a complex interplay of colonial legacies, cultural diversity, and evolving global dynamics. I hope that today’s lecture will compel us to confront the historical imprints that still linger in our educational systems, impeding the full realization of the potential that lies within our youth.
Today’s event is not merely an academic endeavour; it is a transformative act of reclaiming narratives, embracing indigenous knowledge, and empowering our students to critically engage with the world. It calls for a paradigm shift in pedagogy, curriculum design, and institutional structures. It is a call to dismantle the remnants of colonial ideologies that persist in shaping our educational frameworks and to pave the way for a more inclusive, culturally rich, and empowering learning experience.
We are therefore privileged to have one of Africa’s most remarkable citizens, a legal icon and beacon of intellectual prowess, with an unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge, to share his expertise and perspectives with us. As we embark on this intellectual journey together, let us seize this opportunity to reflect on the importance of higher education, the pursuit of knowledge, and the role we play in shaping the future. I encourage all members of our academic community to actively engage in the discussion that follows, fostering a spirit of dialogue and collaboration.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN for gracing us with his presence and I warmly welcome all our esteemed guests, both in person and online. Thank you all for joining us on this auspicious occasion. May this lecture be the first of many that will contribute to the intellectual vibrancy of our university.
Once again, welcome to the First Distinguished University Public Lecture at Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese.
Professor Francisca O. Oladipo, Ph.D., FNCS, FASI, FPASRC
