….As Governing Council Approves the Appointment of Dr. Owolabi Kehinde Abayomi
The Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has approved the appointment of Dr. Owolabi Kehinde Abayomi as the Fifth Substantive University Librarian of the institution.
Dr.Owolabi’s appointment was approved by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Umar Ahmed CNA during a Special Meeting of the Council, held on Tuesday May 23,2023.
His appointment which is to run for five (5) years is with effect from Wednesday,June 7,2023.
Owolabi, an Associate Professor is succeeding the outgoing University Librarian, Prof.(Mrs.) Fehintola Onifade whose five (5) years tenure of office will end on Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Until his appointment, Dr.Owolabi who is highly revered as innovative, tested and proven in his profession, as well as a team player with passion for service delivery was the Institute Librarian for Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR).
His appointment was greeted with elation and infectious jubilation at the Council Chamber and the University Community at large.
The Governing Council Chairman after approving his appointment, beamed with subtle smile and shook the hand of Dr.Owolabi warmly, congratulating him on his well deserved appointment.
The Vice-Chancellor,Prof.Olusola Babatunde Kehinde and other distinguished members of Council also took turn to congratulate the University Librarian Designate after a transparent exercise that is exemplary and worthy of emulation.
Dr.Owolabi who was visibly shocked and elated by his appointment could not hide his joy as he excitedly exchanged pleasantries with the Council Chairman, Vice-Chancellor and other members of Council.
Speaking moments after the announcement of his appointment at the Council Chamber, Dr.Owolabi, in his brief response accepted his appointment and expressed his determination to contribute his quota towards making FUNAAB a 21st Century University.
A multiple Awardee, seasoned Librarian with rich experience that towers in his profession, Dr.Owolabi profile’s read like a best seller titled, “The Meteoric Rise of An Encyclopedia of Library Studies”.
A native of Ibadan,Oyo State, Dr.Owolabi graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Education (Second Class Upper Division) from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife in 1999.
He proceeded to University of Ibadan in 2002 where he obtained Master’s in Library and Information Studies in 2004.
Dr.Owolabi’s academic pursuit took him out of the shore of his country in 2014 to University of Zululand, South Africa where he bagged Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science in 2016.The more reason he’s appelated and fondly called by his teeming admirers as “South African trained”.
The University Librarian Designate is an embodiment of wealth of experience: He was a Class Teacher (Master Grade III) at Federal Government Girls’ College,Sagamu from 2000 to 2005 where he taught English Language.
He made his foray into tertiary institutions in 2005 as Librarian 1 (Head Cataloguing Unit),Federal Polytechnic,Afikpo, Ebonyi State where he worked till 2009.
Dr.Owolabi’s appetite to add value to his life and impact his society and humanity positively with the much needed requisite knowledge in Library and Information Studies took him to Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
From October 11, 2009 till date, Dr.Owolabi has impacted positively and contributed immensely to the growth and development of FUNAAB in many capacities which include:
Librarian 1: Liberian Cataloguing Unit
October 11th, 2009-March, 09th, 2013;
Liberian 1: Head, Readers’ Service Unit (Reference Librarian)
March 11th, 2013-July 11th, 2014;
Librarian 1: Head, Cataloguing Unit
December 12th, 2016 -April 1st ,2017;
Librarian 1: Head, College Libraries (College of Veterinary Medicine)
April 2nd, 2017 – July 30th, 2019;
Senior Librarian: Head, Institute for Human Resources Development Library.
August 1st, 2019 – November 14th, 2021;
Associate Professor: Department of Library and Information Science, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State (Sabbatical Leave).
November 15th, 2021 – November, 14th, 2022;
Associate Professor: Institute of Food Security Environmental and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR) Library.
Head, Institute Library.
November, 17th, 2022- till date;
Dr.Owolabi since 2017 till date has been teaching Master students’, Introduction to Inforpreneurship (LIS 812) and 200 Level Students’ Use of Library (GNS 203).
The 5th University Librarian Designate has served the University in many capacities.These include:
- Secretary , Federal University of Agriculture Library Management Committee from 2018 till date;
- Member, ASUU Cooperative Multipurpose Society Electoral Committee from 2020 till date;
- Member, Library Review Panel on Promotion from 2023 till date;
- Secretary, Librarian Stand Point Committee from 2018 till date;
- Coordinator, Master Degree Programme in Library and Information Studies from 2018 to 2021;
- Chairman, Fund Raising Committee of Maiden Edition of Eminent Personality Lecture being organized by ‘Nimbe Adedipe University Library (2019);
- Chairman, Welfare Committee of ‘Nimbe Adedipe Library from 2011 to 2014 and
- Member, Editorial Board, ‘Nimbe Adedipe Library from 2011 to 2014.
Dr.Owolabi has attended many training programmes at home and abroad that are too numerous to list here.
Better still, the University Librarian Designate’s academic acumen and professional clout has earned him multiple
national and international prizes,honours, local and international recognitions that are highly imposing and reputed.
These include Research Grant for the completion of Ph.D.thesis by the University of Zululand, South Africa and Award of Most Dedicated Staff by National Association of Library and Information Science Students’, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba.
Dr.Owolabi has over 40 Research Publications to his credit.He has attended major conferences with Papers presented.
The University Librarian Designate is a community leader with passion for neighbourhood watch and mutual development that is deeply rooted in agape love, care for the aged, youth empowerment and development.
Very unassuming, humble, focus, dedicated, disciplined, dogged, rugged and God fearing; Dr. Owolabi, a good mixer is happily married with children.
