*Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo.
A former staff member of the Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Rebecca Uduakobong Adesiyan, has celebrated the university’s newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo, for the kindness, mentorship and support she received from her many years ago.
Adesiyan, now a Lecturer II at Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, described the new LASU Vice-Chancellor as her “destiny helper,” recalling how Professor Badejo’s acts of kindness and intervention at a critical point in her career contributed to her professional journey.
In a personal congratulatory letter to Professor Badejo, Adesiyan expressed delight over the appointment, describing it as “much-deserved” and a fitting recognition of the Vice-Chancellor’s capacity, integrity, dedication and years of service.
Adesiyan recalled that she worked at the LASU Staff Canteen between 1999 and 2000 before returning to the university in 2005, when she had the privilege of working with Professor Badejo as her secretary at the LASU Ikoyi Campus.
At the time, she held an Ordinary National Diploma in Secretarial Administration.
According to her, Professor Badejo demonstrated unusual warmth and motherly care towards her, making sure she was comfortable both at home and at work.
“I can still remember how you would insist that I have breakfast at your home before we left for work in Ikoyi,” she recalled.
She said she used to travel every morning to Professor Badejo’s residence in Oko-Oba, Agege, adding that despite having just given birth to a baby at the time, the professor still found the time to care for and support her.
Adesiyan further recalled that Professor Badejo sometimes went out of her way to provide food for her at the office, including buying meals from a nearby Chicken Republic.
She also recounted an intervention by Professor Badejo which, according to her, demonstrated the depth of her concern for her career.
Shortly after she resumed at the Ikoyi Campus, Professor Badejo was transferred back to the LASU Main Campus. Rather than leave her fate to chance, Adesiyan said, Badejo approached the late Professor Mobolaji Lateef Adetona on her behalf and requested that she be retained at the Ikoyi Campus because she had only recently resumed there.
“He graciously did so. May his soul continue to rest in peace. I have never forgotten that gesture,” she said.
Reflecting on Professor Badejo’s emergence as Vice-Chancellor, Adesiyan said she was not surprised by the development, given the sacrifices and years of service that preceded the appointment.
“I am truly delighted to see how far you have come, and I thank God for continuing to honour and exalt you,” she wrote.
Adesiyan, who described herself as a lecturer, researcher, peer reviewer and language editor, said her own career had evolved significantly since her days at LASU.
She disclosed that she worked as an administrator at Covenant University for 19 years before resigning after completing her PhD in English Literature at Olabisi Onabanjo University to pursue a career in academia.
She is currently a Lecturer II at Landmark University.
According to her, the lessons she learnt from people such as Professor Badejo have remained relevant throughout her journey, shaping both her professional outlook and the way she relates with others.
“As I reflect on my journey, I realise that some of the lessons I learned from people like you have remained with me, shaped me, and continue to influence how I relate to others and approach my work,” she said.
Adesiyan expressed her enduring gratitude to the new Vice-Chancellor for what she described as seemingly simple gestures of kindness that had a profound impact on her life.
“Thank you, Professor, for the kindness, care, and encouragement you showed me many years ago. Those seemingly simple gestures meant so much to me, and I remain deeply grateful,” she stated.
She prayed for God’s continued blessings, wisdom, strength and good health for Professor Badejo as she assumes leadership of LASU, while also asking God to reward her years of service and dedication to the institution.