By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Modupeolu Faseke and Oladele Adeoti |
The Lagos State University, LASU, recently hosted a touching colloquium to honour the exemplary careers of two esteemed historical scholars, Professors Oladele Adeoti and Modupeolu Faseke, as they prepare to bid farewell to academia after decades of dedicated service.
Both professors worked in the Department of History and International Studies, and Professor Faseke was Lagos State University's first female history professor.
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Taiwo Salisu, who was represented by Professor Isaac Yekini-Ajenifuja, thanked the Department for honouring the retiring professors, describing them as individuals of great honour.
The Dean described the retirement event as a recognition of the two professors' hard work and significant impact on the university community, stating, "They are icons to recognise in their professions and have immensely contributed to the growth of the faculty."
Professor Adewunmi Falode, Head of the Department of History and International Studies, explained that the retirement colloquium was organised to commemorate the professors' impending retirement while also recognising their dedication and work ethics over the years.
Falode praised the retiring scholars for their dedication to training students both inside and outside of the university, stating, "Professor Faseke was the first female professor of history in the department, Lagos State University, and also my lecturer both in undergraduate and postgraduate days in the institution. "We are pleased to recognise..."
The colloquium's first speaker, Professor Ademola Ajayi from the Department of History at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State, delivered a paper titled "Ezekiel Oladele Adeoti: The Career and Scholarship of a Nigerian Historian."
Professor Ajayi shed light on Professor Adeoti's life and career, emphasising his active participation in teaching, research, and community service, all of which helped to advance society. He went on to say, "His accomplishments in teaching, research, and community service serve as an inspiration to the old and young within and outside the ivory tower."
Professor Olufunke Adeboye of the Department of History and Strategic Studies at the University of Lagos Akoka also spoke, presenting a paper titled "Celebrating an Amazon @ 70: Professor Modupeolu Faseke."
She praised Professor Faseke's fruitful and fulfilling career, which was characterised by hard work, diligence, and a dedication to mentoring young people. Professor Adeboye emphasised Faseke's selfless contributions to the academic, church, Nigerian, and global communities, which were recognised with local and global awards.
In their responses, Professor Modupeolu Faseke and Professor Oladele Adeoti thanked God, the Department, and the guest speakers for their contributions to the event's success.