Renowned Professor of Political Science and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Academics) of the University of Ibadan, Professor Adigun Agbaje, PhD delivers Keynote Address at the 5th Idowu Sobowale Conference, with the theme Media, public opinion and governance in Africa, scheduled to hold at the School of Communication, Lagos State University, Ojo, on 30th and 31st march 2021.
According to a release made available to newstap.com.ng by the chairman of the conference committee, Prof Rotimi Olatunji, the conference, which will draw participants from the academia and professionals in media and communications, is being organised by the LASU School of Communication, in conjunction with the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ota.
The First Idowu Sobowale International Conference was organised in 2009 to create the forum for regular dialogue on different aspects of intellectual and professional interventions of Professor Idowu Sobowale in media, journalism and public communication. Notable themes addressed at past conferences include: “Media, Governance and Development” (hosted by the Department of Mass Communication, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, 2009); “150 Years of Journalism: telling the Nigerian Story” (held at Caleb University, Imota, 2011); “Globalization, Media Entertainment and National Development” (Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, 2015); and Media, Integration, Peace-building and Intercultural Dialogue in Africa (Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leon, October, 2017).
The 2021 Conference provides unique opportunities for scholars, media professionals, veterans, contemporaries and academic disciples of Professor Idowu Sobowale to also celebrate the legend as he marks his 80th Birthday anniversary (29th March 2021) and have his Autobiography (Unexpected Turns) unveiled during the opening ceremony of the Conference on 30th March, 2021). ZOOM ID for the Thanksgiving service for the 80th Birthday anniversary on 29/03/2021 is: 83939168852, with the Password (Pass Code) : IDOWU.
The choice of the venue is equally spectacular because Professor Idowu Sobowale served both as one of the founding fathers as well as the pioneer Dean of the Lagos State University School of Communication (LASUSOC). The opening ceremony of the Conference will be chaired by Professor Abisogun Leigh, PhD, OFR., Fellow, Royal Statistical Society, Former Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University, with Professor Umaru A. Pate, newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State and President , Association of Communication scholars & Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) serving as Special Guest of Honour; Professor Nosa Owens-Ibie, Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos who is also the Secretary general, ACSPN, serves as Guest of Honour. The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University, Professor Oyedamola Oke, PhD, is the Chief Host of the event, while the new Dean of the LASU School of Communication, Professor Yinka Alawode, PhD is the Host.
Professor Idowu Sobowale, PhD, OON, two-term Special Adviser (Education) in Lagos State, first to pioneer Executive Governor of Lagos State, now Late Alahji Lateef Jakande and later during the first term of His Excellency Ahmed Tinubu’s as Executive Governor of the State. Professor Sobowale ended up as Honourable Commissioner of Education during the same period. He was among the technical team that recommended the establishment of the LASU School of Communication, where he later served as the pioneer Dean.
During the Conference, Professor Idowu Sobowale will on 31st March 2021) also reminiscence on his odyssey in journalism, public service, government, politics, the academia and private life, which event presents unique opportunities for budding media professionals and scholars to learn at the feet of the academic and media grandmaster. The session on Reminiscences by Professor Idowu Sobowale will be chaired by another legend,Prof. Ralph A. Akinfeleye. Ph.D.,fnipr, fnge, fcids, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, Council Member, World Journalism Education Congress.
In a pre-event chart, Professor Sobowale has pledged to utilise the proceeds of the Autobiography (Unexpected Turns) to institute a professorial Chair in an aspect of media and Communications Studies, as well as offer scholarships to budding communication scholars to attend local and international conferences. Already, in recognition of the phenomena contributions of Professor Sobowale to scholarship and media professor, Caleb University, Imota Lagos State has long named its Faculty of Communication and Media Studies in honour of the Icon, Professor Idowu Sobowale.
