By: Biodun Adebayo
The pioneer Chief Technologist of the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, Mrs Tolulope Ibilola Ogunsanya has been described as a quintessential laboratory technologist who was very hardworking, forthright, committed, devoted and passionate about her job.
Mrs. Ogunsanya got the accolades during a sent forth put together in her honour by members of the Academic Technologists and Laboratory staff of the University held at the University’s Main Campus on Wednesday, 27th April, 2016.
Speaking at the event, the Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Olakunle Teniola described Mrs. Ogusanya as a nice, trustworthy, hardworking, reliable and resourceful fellow. “She is such a woman that when you give her an assignment, you can go to bed and sleep with your two eyes closed and be rest assured you will get a good result”. He stated.
The Dean appreciated her for her confidence, dedication, doggedness, love and enthusiasm towards her work, sense of responsibility, accountability and determination to surmount every hurdle that may want to impede her professional competence. “She’s always firm on her decision, and her positions at the end of the day are usually commendable.” he asserted.
Dr. Babatope Falayi who represented the Ag. H.O.D, Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. David Aworinde commended Mama Ogunsanya as a very meticulous and diligent woman. He praised her for the unrelented quest, zeal and passion for academic, professional and career progression.
“Mama not satisfied with her higher diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology struggled further to attain professional certificate and M.sc in Medical Microbiology and Parasitology. This kind of zeal is fast disappearing among the younger generation”.
Dr. Falayi therefore urged the technologists and the laboratory workers in the University to take a clue from Mrs. Ogunsanya and never be contented with their present positions, but always aspire for higher qualifications and follow up their aspirations with remarkable actions.
Making reference to his personal life he stated” I was a laboratory technologists for 35 years. But the urge to move higher, optimize my potential, fulfill my dream and never to remain the same propelled me to move ahead to acquire my PGD, M.Sc and eventually my Ph.D defying all odds, undeserved queries, financial challenges, travelling long distance and other work place victimizations.
Therefore, see the sky as your limit. Always be up and doing. Keep moving. Don’t allow anyone to underate you. Even when people try to limit you, don’t limit yourself”, Dr. Falayi appealed.
Making a remark, Dr. Abdul-Kabir Oladimeji who represented the H.O.D. Department of Chemical Sciences, Dr. Foluso Adetuyi stressed that Mama’s life is a motivation to younger generation.
He posited that sent forth is not a right but a privilege, adding that for the subordinates to deem it fit to organize a befitting sent forth for Mama showed that she has positively touched people’s life. “One day we shall be history, let’s start writing our history and what we wanted to be remembered for now”, Dr. Oladimeji enjoined.
In his address, the (NAAT) Chairman, OSUSTECH Chapter, Mr.Davies Bamigbola described Mrs. Ogunsanya as an accomplished technologist and a leader worthy of emulation. He stated further that she has contributed immensely to the development and standardization of Laboratory practice in OSUSTECH, adding that Mrs. Ogunsanya impact and pioneering efforts will forever be on record in OSUSTECH.
Mr. Bamigbola assured Mama Ogunsanya that the good legacies she left behind will be sustained. “Every member of NAAT is here today to honour you because of your untainted record, good character and productiveness. You guide, rebuke and correct us with love”, Bamigbola submitted.
One of the female Technologists, Mrs. Bolanle Olakanmi said Mama was such an organized Technologist that will never leave a stone unturned when it comes to professionalism. She is such a wonderful woman that wants you to know within a twinkle of an eye, everything she used her life to understand as a trained technologist.
Olakanmi who further stated that Mama Ogunsanya is an excellent person when it comes to staff welfare, also said that she is equally an honest person when it comes to handling cash, “We’ll miss you”, she stated.
Another technologist, Mr Joseph Adebayo commented the honouree for her good qualities, saying “she really propelled unity among us”.
In his comment, Mr. Tayo Adeoye revealed that Mama was really the reason why some of them have to stay back in OSUSTECH. “We learnt so much from her wealth of experience. She made us stay back and aspire for higher qualifications. Her attitude and words have always been source of encouragement for us”, he affirmed.
In her comment, Mrs. Omolayo Komolafe has this little to add, “It is Mama that thought me that you must love your work”.
Responding, Mama Ogunsanya thanked God for everything she was able to achieve. She thanked the organisers for the honour, the encomiums and the gift.
“More so, at this time of financial paucity in the Country. I prayed that things shall soon be better in the Nation and OSUSTECH”
Mrs. Ogunsanya seized the opportunity of the event to seek for pardon from anyone she might have offended during the course of working together. Even though, we may disagree many times, but it’s for the progress of the Institution and for our job to be properly done. Please, keep the flag flying and remain one united family in love”. Mama Ogunsanya pleaded.
Mama Ogunsanya who hailed from Ile-Oluji in Oke-Igbo/Ile Oluji Local Government of Ondo State was born on Thursday, 25th May, 1950. She attended May Flower School, Ikene, Ogun State and bagged Higher Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University of Lagos (UNILAG) Lagos. She obtained a professional diploma in Bacteriology & Virology from the Institute of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria in 1974 and became a fellow of the Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (FMLSCN) in Virology in 1981. Not relenting, she bagged her M.Sc in Medical Microbiology and Parasitology in 1990.
Mama Ogunsanya rose through the technologists’ cadre from Technologist II in 1974 to become a Chief Technologist in 1995. She retired from active service with the Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 2007.
Retired but not tired, she took up a contract appointment with OSUSTECH in the year 2011 as a pioneering Chief Technologist. During her working years, she published eight (8) well-researched papers both in local and international academic journals.
Mrs. Ogunsanya was accompanied to the colorful event by her heartthrob, Pa. (Arch.) Dapo Ogunsanya.
