… As CMUL celebrates professor’s research, mentorship, institution-buildingBy Chioma Obinna
After 44 years in academic medicine, Professor Olugbenga Abayomi Okanlawon is retiring from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, CMUL, with colleagues describing his greatest legacy as the generations of scholars he trained and mentored.
Okanlawon, who retires on September 16, began his journey in Anatomy as a medical student before becoming a professor, researcher, academic administrator and mentor whose influence extended beyond the lecture room and laboratory.
At his valedictory lecture, titled “Beyond Anatomy: Custodian of Memory, Maker of Scholars, Builder of Institutions,” the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Lagos, Professor Abraham Osinubi, said Okanlawon’s career demonstrated that academic success should be measured not only by publications, citations or positions, but by what remains after a scholar leaves.
Osinubi who said Okanlawon supervised his masters and doctorate degrees said: “The greatest supervisor is the one who eventually becomes unnecessary because the goal of supervision is intellectual independence.”
