“I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
- Professor T. O. Ogundiran, August 1, 2024.
With songs and thanksgiving to God, the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI), on Thursday, 1 August, 2024 welcomed Professor T. O. Ogundiran, FAS, to his first day in office as the 13th Provost.
The event which took place at the A.O.K Johnson Board Room of the College was coordinated by Reverend Professor S. I. Omokhodion (Chaplain, College of Medicine). On hand to witness this special meeting were Professor Olayinka Omigbodun (Immediate past Provost, CoMUI); Professor Akinyinka Omigbodun (Former Provost, CoMUI); Mr. A. E. Odedele (Secretary to the CoMUI);Mr.S.O.Ayansina(Financial Controller,CoMUI) Professor Aderonke Odunola (Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences) and Professor B. M. Kolude (Dean, Faculty of Dentistry) Also, in attendance were Professor T. A. Lawal (Faculty of Clinical Sciences) and Professor. M. D. Dairo (Faculty of Public Health) who started their tenures today as Deans of their respective faculties.
The monthly programme, College Prays and Praise usually takes place on the first working day of every new month and attracts both physical and online participants among staff.
In his exhortation titled: "Behold l am with thee", Professor S. Omokhodion emphasised that the Provost - Professor Ogundiran is not alone; as God has ordained him to administer the affairsof the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan from today and for the next four years. The Chaplain enjoined Professor Ogundiran and other members of his administration to put their trust in God and rely on Him to be their guide.
Thereafter, sessions of prayers were led by Dr. Adebayo for the new administration, our country Nigeria, the University of Ibadan, the College of Medicine as well as the University College Hospital (UCH). Special prayers were said for peace and safety during the course of the on-going nation-wide protest.
The new Provost and some members of the CoMUI Management team thereafter paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor K. O. Adebowale. They were warmly received on his behalf by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Professor P. O. Olapegba who congratulated the Provost on his assumption of office today. He urged him to build on the great foundations already laid by the past administrations. He enjoined the Provost to arm himself with the University regulations, always play by the rules and be a bridge builder to ensure synergy among the various sections of the College of Medicine and the University at large.
While receiving the Provost and his entourage in his office, the Registrar, University of Ibadan, Mr. G. O. Saliu also felicitated the Provost and wished him the very best as he takes the CoMUI’s baton of leadership today. He reminded him that the University works best as a system and encouraged him to be a team player and use the available human resources to his best purpose.
The 13th Provost, Professor T.O. Ogundiran graduated MBBS (Ibadan) in 1988, FWACS 1996, FRCS (Edinburgh) 1999, MHSc Bioethics Toronto 2004, Certificate in Epidemiology and Global Health (Dundee) 2010, FACS 2011, FAMedS 2021, FAS May 2024. As a Professor in the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, he doubles as a Consultant General Surgeon/Surgical Oncologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. He is the immediate past Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. Professor T. Ogundiran is the Chairman, Cancer Management Committee, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and Academic Director, Center for Bioethics and Research, Ibadan. He is married to Professor Mary Ogundiran of the Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan.
While thanking God for all the mercies and blessings he has enjoyed in all spheres of his life, Professor Ogundiran said his watchwords are righteousness, justice, equity and progress. He promised to lead this administration with the fear of God and a consciousness of the fact that only God could have made it possible for him to get to this exalted position as the Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.