A famous motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, once said: “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” This resonates with the story of the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS), University of Lagos as the Institute celebrates its fifth-year anniversary since its official inauguration on Wednesday, August 9, 2017.
The celebration, which was held on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at the J.P. Clark Centre, UNILAG featured the unveiling of a new logo, and inauguration of the IADS Alumni Association.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe FAS who unveiled the new logo, commended the Institute for taking giant strides in the pursuit of viable research efforts. He encouraged IADS and other members of the University community to improve the public communication of their research efforts.
Similarly, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Rahamon A. Bello, FAEng commended the efforts of the Director, Professor Olumuyiwa Falaiye and staff of the Institute.
He specially appreciated the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Duro Oni whom he disclosed was the brain behind the IADS initiative.
Reminiscing on the journey that led to the signing of the Institute’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Jamaica, Professors Bello and Oni as well as the former Registrar, Dr. Taiwo F. Ipaye opined that the Institute had come a long way and is headed in the right direction.
In his remarks, the Director of the Institute, Professor ’Muyiwa Falaiye expressed gratitude to the University management for its continued support of the Institute.
The designer of the new IADS logo, Dr. Ganiyu Jimoh who is a staff of the University’s Creative Arts Department, explained that the design was inspired by what the Institute stands for.
His words, “the coloured cyclical stripes sprouting from the centre of Africa represent the new narratives against prior hegemonic misconceptions about Africa and Africans. It is multi-coloured to encompass the continent’s beautiful diversity, vigour and multiplicities of realms and realities. The centralised map of Africa has been embellished with the Nsibidi signs, not just for aesthetics but to electrify the importance of literacy in African culture and civilisation, long before the introduction of western education.”
Following its inauguration in 2017, the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS) has grown in leaps and bounds, and exceeded its mandate.
With collaborative partnerships with reputable centres and bodies such as ARUA Centres of Excellence, Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence Bayreuth among others, the renowned Institute has touched lives, shaped thoughts and made notable contributions to important African conversations, ideologies and cultures.
In the last five years, IADS has attracted several grants; awarded the Rahamon Bello Best PhD Thesis Award to deserving scholars; hosted engaging events; as well as commenced postgraduate programmes for the award of Masters of Arts and Doctoral Degrees.
Below are some pictorial highlights of the event:
