CBCIU felicitates with Distinguished Professor Peter Akinsola Okebukola OFR on the conferment of Emeritus Professor

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Management and Staff of Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, I rejoice with the Distinguished Professor Peter Akinsola Okebukola OFR on the conferment of Emeritus Professor on him on the combined authority of Senate and Governing Council of Lagos State University on March 24, 2022. The icing of the cake is that you made history as the first Professor to be elevated to the highly coveted rank of Emeritus Professor in the history of Lagos State University. This honour is, no doubt, a recognition of your exemplary leadership, outstanding service to humanity and stella record of achievements in computers in education and e-learning, co-operative learning, metacognitive strategies in science education, environmental education, and eco-cultural influences on the learning of science concepts.

We also recognize your pivotal contribution to the preservation and sustenance of our tangible and intangible cultural heritage as the Director of the UNESCO Institute for African Culture and International Understanding, Abeokuta and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, Nigeria. Since 2009, you have worked closely with successive Director-Generals of UNESCO, Mr. Koichiro Matsura, Irina Bokova and Audrey Azoulay to sustain inter-cultural dialogue for social cohesion in pluralistic societies.

Your legacies as the President (Acting Vice-Chancellor) of Lagos State University and the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission remain imperishable. Till date you remain a ceaseless source of innovative ideas and reforms for the National Universities Commission particularly your role in the production of the Directory of Full Professors in the Nigerian University System and as the Chairman of Strategy Advisory Committee of the National Universities Commission to advise the Executive Secretary of the Commission on a wide range of issues concerning the Nigerian University System. We also notes with great pleasure, your engagement at all levels of educational system which has enabled to serve as a member of and consultant to a number of international organizations such as UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank and the UNDP.

You have also, since 2000, been serving as the Executive President of UNESCO's African Network for Innovations in Higher Education (GUNI-AFRICA) while we also note that you were the first African to win the highly prestigious UNESCO Prize for Communication of Science in 1993. I also affirm that you are a seasoned expert in University Governance and Administration given your stella performance as the pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of Osun State University (2007-2011). We are also aware of your ground-breaking achievements as Chairman of Council of Ekiti State University, Caleb University, Crawford University, Sam Adegboyega University and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

You have also served as the leader of the entire Nigerian Academic Community to the National Political Reform Conference and was, in 2007, awarded the National Honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR). You have also been awarded a number of Honorary D.Sc degrees and Fellowships by world renowned institutions. However, the conferment of Emeritus Professor on you by the authorities of the Lagos State University is another befitting cap to your already well decorated academic cap. Keep flying, keep soaring. We are forever proud of you and your contributions to humanity.

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola - Chairman, Board of Trustees, Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding