………Feature in Varsity Alumni Case Study Publication
By Yinka Ezun
The revolutionary Commissioner of agriculture in Ogun State, Dr Adeola Odedina has been recognized by his Alma Mater University of Wolverhampton United Kingdom for flying the flag of the school in all posts he had occupied.
As a mark of recognition for being a worthy Alumnus of the institution, the University recognised Odedina in its Post Graduate Journal for the year 2021.
The University Alumni Case Study publication regularly features notable Alumni who have been making waves in various field of human endeavour including government and top private sectors across the world and have been doing the University proud.
With the recognition, Dr. Odedina has joined the league of alumni who are holding strategic positions in different parts of the world and have been worthy Ambassadors of the University.
Dr. Adeola Odedina Graduated from the University in 1991 and obtained a Post Graduate Diploma Certificate in Agricultural Education in 1991in the School of Biology, Chemistry and Forensic Science
In his remark, Dr Odedina said the University while he was there was a home-like learning atmosphere where there was sufficient attention to individual capacities and needs, and both teachers and learners participated fully in improving and encouraging one another.
“I felt treasured and important as an overseas student. Several years after leaving Wolverhampton, I became involved in high level management of agricultural technology education in tertiary institutions, leading to my rise to the Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria and Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, with over 20,000 young people.”
According to him, in both circumstances, he led critical aspects of curriculum development, technology delivery and linkage of undergraduates to industrial process and agricultural development, and agricultural productivity in Nigeria and Africa.
“The rudiments and exposure at Wolverhampton Polytechnic adequately prepared me for this role.” , Odedina said.
Notable alumni in the field of government and politics include of the University who are also holding the ace in their different corners of the world include the 161st Mayor of Wolverhampton, Claire Darke; Steven Linares, MP in the Gibraltar Parliament; Nando Bodha, former Minister of Tourism & Leisure and former Minister of Agriculture for Mauritius; Juhar Mahiruddin, Governor of Sabah, Malaysia, and Chancellor of University Malaysia Sabah; Michael John Foster, former Labour MP; David Wright, former Labour MP; Chris Heaton-Harris, Conservative MP; Brian Jenkins, former Labour MP; Jenny Jones, former Labour MP; Ken Purchase, former Labour MP; Chauhdry Abdul Rashid, former Lord Mayor of Birmingham and former Chancellor of Birmingham City University; Bill Etheridge, UKIP MEP.
Other notable alumni include: Sir Terence Beckett, former director-general of the Confederation of British Industry; Sir Charles Wheeler, sculptor and President of the Royal Academy; Suzi Perry, television presenter and journalist; Maggie Gee, novelist; Trevor Beattie, advertising executive; Peter Bebb, special effect artist;[81] Vernie Bennett, singer, formerly of Eternal; Scott Boswell, former professional cricketer; David Carruthers, Professor Paul Gough, Vice-Chancellor, Arts University Bournemouth, and Chair of UKADIA,[82] former online gambling executive; Major Peter Cottrell, soldier, author and military historian; academic, artist and disability rights activist Paul Darke; Matt Hayes, television angler; Tanwir Ikram, Deputy Senior District Judge; Mil Millington, director & filmmaker; Michael Cumming, author; Magnus Mills, author; Mark O’Shea, zoologist and television presenter; Cornelia Parker, artist/sculptor; Julian Peedle-Calloo, television presenter; Robert Priseman, artist; Anne Schwegmann-Fielding, artist; Michael Salu, graphic artist and creative director; Ged Simmons, television actor; Gillian Small, University Dean for Research, City University of New York; Clare Teal, jazz singer and broadcaster; Andrew White, writer and TV presenter; Andy Thompson, footballer; Patrick Trollope, editor of UK’s first online-only regional newspaper; Annemarie Wright, artist; Adesua Etomi, actress; Ben Stewart, head of media at Greenpeace; Jonathan Gosling, Circuit Judge and Tim Dutton, actor.
The university is noted for its success in encouraging wider participation in higher education.
In May 2016, the university was awarded ‘Business of the Year’ at the Express & Star Business Awards, where its contribution to the region’s economy was hailed as ‘truly outstanding’.
The university was second in the UK for graduate employability.
In addition, the university was commended with the highest level of commendation by the Quality Assurance Agency in 2015 for the ‘enhancement of student learning opportunities
