By Grace Edema

The Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, speaks to GRACE EDEMA and GODFREY GEORGE about her career, family and new role as VC

Aside from being an academic, you are also a preacher. Are you still the Area Pastor in charge of the Testimony Chapel, Redeemed Christian Church of God?

Well, I have been promoted to a Zonal Pastor. I am now in charge of two areas of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Zone 9, Lagos Province 1. They are the City of David Area and Testimony Chapel Area.

You actually hold a postgraduate diploma in Theology. What really fascinates you about being a preacher?

At the time I did the postgraduate diploma in Theology in 2000, I did not plan to be a preacher. I did not even plan to be a pastor. I was just someone that was thirsty for the word (of God) and I needed to know more about the Bible. I had some free time so I used it to do evening classes to know more about the Bible. It was at the end of that the church then called us ‘ministers’. I did not plan for it. Mine was just a thirst for the word of God.

Now that you are a pastor, is there a meeting point somewhere between being an academic and a preacher?

Being an academic and preacher have a meeting point. It is like you are delivering a lecture when you are preaching. You prepare for it as you prepare for your lecture and you also impart knowledge (to the congregation) just the same way you do so in school to your students. You would have to teach the audience more about the word of God and about Jesus Christ and how to behave and live a sin-free life.


Is being a lecturer something you’ve always loved from childhood?

(Laughs) I never wanted to be a lecturer. When I was a child, in my primary school days, I wanted to be a policewoman (laughs). Up till now, some people still call me ‘Sisi Olopa’ (police lady). Fate brought me to physiology, and when I came into physiology – which was by providence because I was never admitted for the course but was admitted for pharmacology – I had to make do with what I had. Immediately I was admitted, I knew it would be until I got a PhD in physiology that I can make something out of it. I made a promise to myself that I must do something tangible with the degree. I was determined from day one to make the best out of physiology and to be the best.

I really loved endocrinology, which is also my specialty. I also loved reproduction a lot too. In that aspect, I specialise in the thyroid glands and in the pancreas. I am a specialist in thyroid function and also a specialist in diabetes.

What kind of people are your parents and what kind of upbringing did you have?

My parents are God-fearing people. They are really loving (people) and they always take care of the family. My mother was a full-time housewife because my dad insisted that she must not work. He told her that he would take care of her and would provide everything for her. So, she was at home taking care of the children and making sure that everybody was fine. But that is not the life that I wanted to live. My mother was taking care of us while my dad worked as a contractor and engineer. He worked with the Federal Government. He was well-known and well-respected in society. His name is Chief Meshach Ibidapo from Owo. He built very big buildings for the Federal Government and he was one of those who originally constructed the Ibadan axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. So, we could say he was a ‘big man’. He was also a disciplinarian. He was a loving father, who also had a very special way of taking care of the female children. He preserved us and was always giving us what we wanted because he didn’t want us to go asking any man for anything. Anything we requested, he gave us. Even when we were in the university then, he gave us (his female children) cars. He was just too protective of us and we loved him for it. Looking back at that now, I would say it paid off.

My mom’s decision of being a housewife was not an entirely bad decision. I would say it paid off too. She took care of us, but I wouldn’t say she really satisfied herself. Was she fulfilled doing that? She was an entrepreneur and contractor also at that time. She was supplying food items to the likes of UTC, Kingsway and AG Leventis. She told us (children) that she was also a hairdresser but my father said he didn’t want anything of that sort. He just wanted her to stay at home.

You’ve reached the height of your career as an academic, having become the VC of the prestigious LASU. Have you always seen it coming?

Of course, yes. I saw it, that was why I was determined. You know when you see the vision, you would want to run with it. I ran with it and was determined to achieve it. So, I would say I saw it coming.

Of course, the intrigues that preceded your becoming the VC are well-known. What were your major takeaways from the process?

The process taught me never to give up and to be determined and focused. Never lose focus on your goal. Those intrigues were distractions to me and we were determined and didn’t give up.

You should do thanksgiving,God prevent u from joining that cartel group

Thank God for your life,if you have joined NPF by now you will battling with yoke of curses because NPF is a cursed profession

Blocking money plenty pass Check point money

There's no much difference between a police officer and a lecturer.

Lol. Most people don't usually get to choose what they become in Nigeria. Abroad you'll see someone studying Medieval Arts or Ancient Greek Philosophy just because that's what they feel like. There's usually no fear about how they're going to survive with the degree because Life's not that hard over there.
But here you see someone who has written JAMB several times to study medicine and surgery eventually being admitted to study Fishery and then getting a job as a Cashier in a Microfinance Bank

yanabasee:
There's no much difference between a police officer and a lecturer.

Shoo!! Pls explain because one is a uniform man with a gun and the other a civilian with a pen

Loveurneighbour:

Shoo!! Pls explain because one is a uniform man with a gun and other a civilian with a pen

Lots of lecturers are sadists and also takes bribe... a lot of them will purposefully set difficult questions for students to fail so they would come and sort for credits...


Likewise police, they will twist situations around to have you pay for a crime you never committed....


Note that it's not all lecturers that indulge in this act, same way it isn't all police officers that are corrupt.

yanabasee:



Lots of lecturers are sadists and also takes bribe... a lot of them will purposefully set difficult questions for students to fail so they would come and sort for credits...


Likewise police, they will twist situations around to have you pay for a crime you never committed....


Note that it's not all lecturers that indulge in this act, same way it isn't all police officers that are corrupt.

Ok. Thanks

her husband..belike..u this woman..u wont stop to dey disgrace me, for street..abi..