ABOUT 24 staff members were honoured at the 9th edition of the University of Ilorin Merit Awards Ceremony. Three of the awards were awarded post-humusly Royal news has gathered.
At the event that climaxed the University’s 32nd Convocation Ceremonies, two former students were also honoured while 77 graduating scholars of the 2015/2016 session across all Faculties were also given recognition awards.
The 24 staff members, who got various awards, were the late former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University, late Prof. Felix Ayotunde Oladele; a former Ag. Head of the Department of English and immediate past Secretary General of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Unilorin Chapter, late Prof. Patrick Olajide Balogun; and the former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, late Prof. Yekeen Abiola Abayomi.
Others were Dr. Wasiu Kolawole Wahab of the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, who won the Researcher of the Year Award; and the Chief Medical Officer of the University, Dr. Rasheed Adekeye Odunola of the University Health Services.
The Outstanding Staff of the Year awards went to Mrs. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, the Deputy Registrar (Academic Support Services); Mr. Abdulganiyu Olaniyan and Mr. Akande F. Albert of the Bursary Department; Mr. S. O. Olabanji of the Department of Microbiology; Mr. S.A. Fowomola of the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovations), Mrs. Ugowe Innoxa of the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), and Mr. Hassan Dasola Abdullateef of the Students Affairs Unit.
Others are Mr. Emhaneshi Usman Isiaka of the University Lodges, Mr. Fatai Salawu and Mr. Felix Ako of the Works Department, Mr. Ogunyemi Oloruntegbe and Mr. Woli Sijuola Ayinde Adam of the Security Unity, Mr. Sulaiman Sabonkudi Sadiq of the Sports Unit, Mrs. Shakirat Ayinde of the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Mrs. Isa Nimota of the Pharmacognosy and Drug Development Department, Mr. Ajayi Kayode of the College Health and Mr. Bamidele Philips Kayode of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office.
Mr. A. T. Suleiman of the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Promotion Environmental Health Education was honoured with the Sportsman of the Year while Mrs. R. O. Dauda of the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education was named the Sportswoman of the Year.
The two students honoured were Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulHakeem Temitope, who was recently selected as the Best Nigerian Engineering Graduate for the 2014/2015 Academic Session by the Committee of Deans of Engineering in Nigeria and Mr. Joel Kerimu Ikazuwagbe, the immediate past Sports Secretary of the University of Ilorin Students’ Union.
In his remarks on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the University and Chairman of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), called on staff of the University to redouble their efforts towards achieving effective service delivery for which the University is known.
Prof. Ambali appreciated the members of the Merit Awards Committee, saying that the effort of selecting the awardees was not an easy task.
The Merit Award ceremony, which was held during the end-of- Convocation Luncheon, was witnessed by the representative of the President, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana; all the University Principal Officers, management staff, family members and well-wishers of the awardees.
