By Tajudeen Babamale, Abubakar Abdulquadri,

Bashirat Omotosho and Bashir Dawodu

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has commended the Faculty of Life Sciences on celebrating hard work through the recognition of individuals whose dedication continues to elevate the University.

Prof. Egbewole gave the commendation last Monday (December 22, 2025) during the Dean’s Prizes and Awards Ceremony organised by the Faculty where outstanding staff and former leaders of the Faculty were honoured for their exemplary performance.

Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, the Vice Chancellor noted that acknowledging excellence, credibility, and commitment is essential to motivating others and sustaining a culture of high performance across Departments, the Faculty, and the University at large.

He explained that celebrating people who work diligently reinforces the University’s values and strengthens its collective pursuit of excellence.

The Vice Chancellor also lauded the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Rotimi Arise, for his foresight and thoughtfulness in institutionalising the awards, describing the initiative as being consistent with the University’s tradition of rewarding excellence and promoting distinction.

Prof. Egbewole reaffirmed that such recognition efforts would continue to enhance institutional growth and contribute to the reputation of the University as a centre of quality and advancement.

Earlier in his remarks, the Dean noted that the Faculty recognised the complexity of life processes and treats staff members with honour and respect.

Prof. Arise said, “At the Faculty of Life Sciences, we appreciate lives and humanities. This initiative led us to seek management approval to give an award of recognition to hardworking staff, appreciating their contributions to the Faculty.”

He appreciated the Vice Chancellor and his management team for their continued support for the Faculty, noting that the Dean’s Awards and Prizes aligns with the Vision 1:10:500.

The awards were in different categories, among which are Outstanding Lecturer, Outstanding Researcher, Outstanding Level Advisers, Outstanding Secretarial/Administrative Staff, and Outstanding Technical Staff awards across the five Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Optometry and Vision Science, Plant Biology and Zoology.

The Outstanding Researcher of the Year from each of the Departments are, Dr O K Bello, Biochemistry; Dr Muinat Kazeem, Microbiology; Dr Olusola Micheal Ojo, Optometry and Vision Science; Dr Azeez Lateefah, Plant Biology; and Prof. Oluyinka Iyiola, Zoology.

In the category of outstanding lecturers, the following were the honourees, Dr Rukayat Yakubu, Biochemistry;  Dr Sa’ad Abdulkareem, Microbiology; Dr Olusola Micheal Ojo, Optometry and Vision Science; Dr Bolaji Umar Olayinka and Dr Adam Olaitan Abdulkareem from Zoology Department.

The Outstanding Level Advisers are Dr Sikemi Omar, Biochemistry; Mr Teslim Shittu, Microbiology; Dr Ayodeji Ezekiel Ige, Optometry and Vision Science; Dr Sunday Adebunmi Adeniran, Plant Biology and Dr Shittu Olalere from Zoology.

The Outstanding Laboratory Staff awards were given to Mr Joseph Adeleke Akosewa, Biochemistry; Mr Stephen Orobola Olabanji, Microbiology; Mr Ibrahim Abdullah Alanamu, Plant Biology and Mr Sadiq Abdulmumini, Zoology.

The Outstanding Secretarial/Administrative Staff awards were won by Mrs Elizabeth Akanle from Biochemistry, Mr Nurudeen from Microbiology, Mrs Grace Arokoyo from Optometry and Vision Science, Mrs Adenike Adegbule Lizzy from Plant Biology and Mrs Bola Busari from Zoology.

Commendation for Excellence award was given to the Faculty Officer, Mrs Kate Anthony Fon and the Faculty Accountant, Mrs Zubair Ramat Adebayo.

Awards of Recognition were given to the Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Prof Faoziyat Suleiman; the Head of the Department of Microbiology, Prof I O Sule; the Coordinator of Optometry and Vision Science, Dr Olusola Micheal Ojo; the Ag. Head of the Department of Plant Biology, Dr Bolaji Umar Olayinka and Dr Olutomi Adeyemi-Ale.

Speaking on behalf of the honourees, a former Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Patricia Omojasola, described her service to the Faculty as a great privilege, noting that it is a place she never regretted serving.

She said the Faculty remains the best place she has worked, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to its growth.

Prof. Omojasola appreciated the current Dean, Prof. Arise, for recognising their efforts and showing appreciation for the work they did during their tenure in the service of the Faculty and the University at large.

Among the dignitaries at the event were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof Muhtar Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla, the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Prof Ganiyu Amuda-Yusuf, past Deans of the Faculty and several staff members, among others.