By Adeyinka Adeniran
The management board for the TETFund Centre of Excellence for Diaspora Studies in the University of Ibadan has been constituted and inaugurated.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Professor Peter Olapegba performed the task on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS.
Prof. Olapegba recalled that the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa visited the University of Ibadan for the signing of the UI-NIDCOM Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and this gave birth to the TETFund Centre of Excellence for Diaspora Studies in 2023.
He noted that the management board of the centre was constituted and inaugurated in order to achieve the objectives for the establishment of the Centre.
Prof. Olapegba said the Board will be charged with the oversight role of policy approval and ratification for implementation by the Management Team of the Centre.
He added that the Board will also be expected to statutorily give a report of its activities to the Vice-Chancellor.
The Director of the TETFund Centre of Excellence for Diaspora Studies, Professor Senayon Olaoluwa appreciated Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and NIDCOM, for their support and the University of Ibadan management for its commitment to the establishment of the Centre.
Representatives of NIDCOM on the Board include Hon. Abdulrahman Terab, Head of Technology Transfer and Innovation Department; and Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media/Public Relations.
Other members of the Board are: Director Research Management Office; Dean, Faculty of Arts; Dean, Faculty of the Social Sciences; Dean, Faculty of Law; Dean, Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies; Representatives of the Institute of African Studies, Department of English, Department of Medicine, and Department of Sociology.
The Head of the Lagos Office of NIDCOM, Mr. Oladipo Odebowale, an Assistant Director, was at the event.
The Chairman of the Board, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose, assured that the Board will justify the confidence reposed in it such that the Centre will soon become world-renowned for Diaspora Studies.
