Distinguished Elders and Colleagues, do join me to wish Dr. Adeniji who attains the age of Threescore and Ten today a very happy entrance into a new season of life! I asked Dr. Adeniji to share a few things about himself at this time and this is what he had to write:
“I give God the glory for all the opportunities He has granted me since I was born on 18th August, 1951 at Ilesa, Osun State to Mr. David Adeniji and Mrs. Florence Adefunke Adeniji.
I started my education in January 1957 at St Paul’s C.A.C Primary School Ado-Ekiti and obtained my highest Certificate, Ph.D., at the University of Ibadan in 1995. The Lord was very kind to me by making studying very easy for me. I was always one of the top 5% in my class right from the beginning to the end. My first degree studies took place at the University of Benin while all postgraduate studies were at the University of Ibadan.
I got married to Paulina Olufunke Oyewole at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Oke Padi, Ilesa on 9th May 1981. Dr. Olufunke Adeniji, my wife, is a true friend and my good helpmate. We thank God for blessing the marriage with good children.
I worked briefly at the Oyo State College of Education Ilesa as a lecturer in Biology before joining the University of Ibadan as an academic staff, at the end of my M.Sc., on 1st February 1985. I have been involved, since then, in teaching, research and community services at the University of Ibadan from 1985 – 2021. I taught Virology to Medical, Microbiology, Medical laboratory science and LTTS students in addition to Postgraduate students in my department. I supervised many B.Sc, M.Sc, and Ph.D. Students.
My research activities started under my Mentor and Supervisor, Professor Oyewale Tomori, with the investigation of Yellow Fever outbreak in Nigeria. This was followed by Vector Competence studies and the Global Polio Eradication initiative to mention a few. I am glad to inform you that due to the persistent research activities I was one of the researchers with the highest research outputs on Roll of honour in 2017 at the University of Ibadan. One of my PhD students, Mr. Cephas Temitope Faleye also won the prize for the best PhD Thesis in 2019 at the University of Ibadan PG School, now Postgraduate College.
I was on sabbatical leave in 2005 working with the World Health Organization firstly as National Immunization Officer and later as Polio Eradication Officer. As part of my community service I served as the President of College of Medicine CICS from 1997 t0 2004 and at the national Level as a member of Expert review Committee on Polio until Polio was eradicated in Nigeria. I am currently serving the nation as a member of the National Task force on Polio and National Polio expert Committee.
My major hobby is singing. I have been a member of the Choir since age 11. Till date I belong to the Chapel of the Resurrection, University of Ibadan Choir”.
Congratulations once again dear Dr. Adeniji, we wish you health and strength and many many more years of serving your Nation and the Global Community.
Olayinka Omigbodun FAS, FNAMed, FNAMedS
Professor of Psychiatry & Provost
