By Abdullah Oladejo
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, has affirmed that the humanities play a crucial role in the development of mankind, other academic disciplines, and society at large.
Professor Adebowale made this assertion while receiving the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor S.O. Oyetade, and other dignitaries during a courtesy visit to his office.
He acknowledged distinguished historians and philosophers such as Professors Ade Ajayi, Wole Soyinka, Ayo Bamgbose, and Bolaji Idowu, who, according to him, made remarkable contributions to their respective fields and significantly advanced the humanities. He reiterated that the humanities are foundational to all other academic disciplines.
Expressing his strong passion for the humanities, the Vice-Chancellor described the focus of the upcoming conference as a “delightful development” that would reposition the arts and humanities for greater relevance across academic and developmental spheres. He also commended the Dean, the Local Organising Committee, and other members of the faculty for their efforts in organizing the conference.
In his remarks, Professor Oyetade explained that the purpose of the visit was to formally brief the Vice-Chancellor about the conference, which had already commenced with a workshop, an event he described as a successful prelude to the main conference.
He further disclosed that the theme of the conference, “The New Humanities and Humanistic Development in Africa,” is timely and essential, not only for reimagining the study of humanities, but also for leveraging the field in addressing contemporary challenges and fostering human development.
Professor Oyetade noted that the Faculty of Arts, as the pioneer faculty of the University of Ibadan and one of the oldest in West Africa, has a long-standing reputation for excellence. He highlighted that many icons who have passed through the faculty are recognized as trailblazers in their respective disciplines.
He expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, the university management, and the Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu O. Saliu, for their continued support toward hosting the conference.
The Dean expressed confidence that the outcomes of the conference would enhance the visibility of the Faculty of Arts and further elevate the image of the University of Ibadan on the global stage as a pioneer of impactful academic initiatives.
