The Oke Ogun region in northern Oyo State is celebrating the recent appointments of two of its distinguished sons to high-ranking academic positions. Professor Adepoju Tunde Joseph Ogunkunle has been named Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Development) at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, while Professor Temidayo Olusade Ogundiran has been appointed as the Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
Professor Ogunkunle, who hails from Tede, the headquarters of ATISBO Local Government, has had an illustrious academic and administrative career. He began his education at the Roman Catholic Mission Primary School in Tede, progressing through Community High School, Idi-Emi, Sepeteri, and Saint Andrew’s College of Education, Oyo. He earned a First Class Honors degree in Biology from the University of Ilorin, where he also obtained an M.Sc. in Botany and a Ph.D.
His professional journey has seen him hold several teaching and administrative roles at various Nigerian universities, including Bowen University, Iwo; the Federal University of Technology, Minna; and LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, where he became a Professor of Plant Taxonomy in 2014. His recent appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor is a testament to his dedication to academic excellence and leadership.
In a parallel achievement, Professor Ogundiran, also a native of Oke Ogun, was appointed as the 13th Provost of the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, succeeding Professor Olayinka O. Omigbodun. His appointment is seen as a significant recognition of his contributions to the medical field and his commitment to advancing medical education in Nigeria.
The people of Oke Ogun are proud of these appointments, which they view as a reflection of the region’s rich human resources and academic potential. Historically perceived as neglected by past governments, Oke Ogun is now being recognized for its contributions to Nigeria’s intellectual and professional landscape.
As the region celebrates these milestones, the successes of Professors Ogunkunle and Ogundiran serve as an inspiration to the next generation of scholars and professionals from Oke Ogun, highlighting the region’s capacity to produce leaders in various fields. Their achievements are not only personal triumphs but also victories for the entire Oke Ogun community.
