The nexus between Music as a talent, and Architecture, as a career path, formed the core of a lecture delivered by Professor Olumide Olusanya of the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.
The lecture was part of activities, put together by the Department of Architecture to celebrate Professor Olumide Olusanya as he counts down to the septuagenarian age which also marks his retirement from the university after 43 years of service.
The ceremony which held at the Julius Berger Hall of the University of Lagos, was a convergence of an array of alumni, students, friends, staff, well-wishers and admirers of Professor Olumide Olusanya from far and near who all showed up to eulogize him.
Professor Olusanya’s lecture was more of a personification of his personal experience as a music composer being his first competence in Arts, and as an Architect being his career choice.
He made references to literary works of legendary artistes such as American singers/songwriters, Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder among others, whose works, he said, inspired and shaped his craft as a poet, music composer and instrumentalist.
Prof Olusanya who also treated the audience to light musical and keyboard performances also used the avenue to showcase some of his Architectural Designs which he said, were also influenced by his sojourn into fatherhood, his arts and his career growth.
Earlier in their remarks, the Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Professor Modupe Omirin and the Head of Department of Architecture, Dr. Tony Iweka identified passion, modesty, courage and deep sense of responsibility as qualities which stands Professor Olumide Olusanya out amongst his peers.
They also commended the honouree for being a role model in teaching, mentorship and his fatherly disposition to all categories of staff as well as students in the department.
There was also an outpour of tributes and accolades from the National President, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Architect Enyi Ben-Eboh,alumni, students and staff of the department. They all took turns to shower encomiums on Professor Olumide Olusanya, adjudging him an embodiment of inspiration.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the announcement of the institution of an Academic Excellence Prize in honour of Professor Olumide Olusanya by former Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Professor Michael Adebamowo for the Best Student in Year Two Studio.
The prize endowment which is under the Advancement Management Board of UNILAG is for a period of 5 years at the cost of one hundred thousand naira (N100, 000.00) per annum to the winner.
Other highlights of the ceremony included presentation of gifts to Professor Olumide Olusanya by the department and the array of friends and well-wishers as well as exhibition of prototypes of architectural designs.
Professor Olumide Olusanya joined the Department of Architecture, University of Lagos in November, 1979 as a corps member and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 1995. He will clock 70 years on Saturday, December 10, 2022.
Below is a pictorial highlight of the ceremony;
