Students of Engineering and Science at the University of Lagos had a memorable time on Monday, August 5, 2024 at a seminar delivered by an alumnus of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Dr. Babatunde Agboola.
The Principal Engineer on Lunar Mobillity at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Dr. Agboola shared with the student participants his grass-to-grace story, opened their hearts to newest developments in the fields of Science and Engineering, and urged them to recognise the value-laden nature of their respective courses of study.
His words: “My Bachelors degree thesis here at the University of Lagos prepared me for the Constitutive Modelling that I now do so well in Aerospace Engineering there in the United States of America. Everything you are learning now will be useful for you beyond your departments and the shores of this country. I urge you to take pride in the courses you are currently studying, become so good at it that you become synonymous with excellence, and the sky will be your starting point.”
Dr. Agboola, who disclosed that he popularly went by the nickname of “Pastor” when he was on campus, urged the students to develop sound morality and character side-by-side their academic capacities.
“Character will take you far in life. When your classmates know that you’re truthful, honest, and upright, they can stand up for you – and that follows you all through life”.
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. S.O. Adeosun commended the Department for bringing back outstanding alumni like Dr. Agboola. For the students, he urged them to draw inspiration from the life of the Guest Speaker, who rose from humble beginnings in Bariga to global stardom in the United States, doing incredible work on transportation on the moon.
His words, “All you need to do is to do well here in school, academically and character-wise. Yes, we may not have all, the desired facilities here to train you as it is obtainable in developed countries, but the content we are giving you are globally relevant and recognised, and it is up to you to make the most of them. Dr. Agboola here is a shining example of that.
The immediate past Head of Department, Dr. Lawrence Osoba and Ag. HOD, Dr. H. Mgbemere thanked Dr. Agboola for giving the students the benefit of his time and immense knowledge;.
The Guest Speaker, Dr. Agboola, is leading the development of airless or non-pneumatic tires for Lunar (Moon) vehicles at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company towards the NASA Artemis mission and beyond.
REPORT: Isaiah Kumuyi
PHOTOGRAPHY: Samuel Dosumu
