Ajayi Crowther University hosts Carnegie international Scholar

Prof. Timothy Abiodun Adebayo, VC(centre), Prof. Olumuyiwa Popoola,DVC(4th left), Prof. U. Bekee(4th right), Dr. J.E.T Babatola, Registrar(3rd right), Most Rev. Prof. G.L. Lasebikan, Dean, Faculty of Humanities (3rd right), Dr. Mrs. Toying Sogbesan(2nd right), Prof. W. Akanbi, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Dr. Mrs. Ogunbunmi, Ag. Head, Department of History and International Relations pose for a photo with the visiting Professor.

The Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Professor Timothy Abiodun Adebayo, on behalf of different arms of the University, recently welcomed Professor Bekeh Ukelina, a Carnegie International Scholar, from State University of New York, United States of America, to spend a 90-day residency in Ajayi Crowther University. Professor Ukelina would be attached to the Department of History and International Studies during his stay but his operation will cut across disciplines.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed his support for the residency, and stated that the University would do all it can to make the visiting professor comfortable during his stay. He hoped that Ukelina’s coming would open doors for more collaboration between State University of New York and Ajayi Crowther University. He expressed gratitude to Dr. Mrs. Toyin Sogbesan who facilitated the linkage and the Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Professor Olumuyiwa Popoola whom the University has saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the University has linkage with other institutions at the International level.

The DVC, in his comments, said he was delighted that the international scholar would be in Ajayi Crowther University, saying he was sure that the University would benefit from his stay. The Registrar, Dr. J.E.T Babatola, Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Most. Rev. Professor G.L Lasebikan, and Head of Department of History and International Studies, who were all on hand to receive the visiting Professor, expressed positive sentiments about his stay, and hoped that the staff and students would derive tremendous benefits from his visit. The University Librarian, Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Fabunmi was also on hand to receive the visiting Professor.

In his response, Professor Ukelina promised to give his best to the University, stating that he hoped to deliver a lecture to the University Community before that end of his stay.

Bekeh Utietiang Ukelina is an African developmental historian. He is an associate professor of History and Africana Studies at the State University of New York , Cortland, where he is also the Director of the Centre for Gender and Intercultural Studies. Bekeh Ukelina has a BA in Philosophy, an MA in Religion and Culture and a Ph.D. in African History. His research examines the ideologies and practices of development in Africa, south of the Sahara. He focuses on key questions such as: why is Africa poor and underdeveloped? How does Africa’s history help understand and explain its development crisis? Dr. Ukelina writes and speaks passionately about African development.