UNILAG Prof celebrates diamond anniversary, launches seven new books

It was a double celebration for Prof Tunde Ope-Davies, a leading academic at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as he turned 60 and, in a breathtaking display of productivity, unveiled seven new books.

Ope-Davies is a Professor of English, Digital Cultures and Discourse Studies at UNILAG. He rolled out the new books on Thursday, November 6, along with his birthday celebration.

The event, which took place at Omotola Hall of the university, attracted top academia, church people and government officials, including Mr Gbenga Omotoso, who represented the  Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr Hamzat Banire

Apart from being a lecturer,  Ope-Davies is the founding director and principal investigator at the Centre for Digital Humanities, University of Lagos (CEDHUL). He is a Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation & DAAD scholar, Germany and a visiting professor at a couple of other universities in the UK.

The newly published books are Winds Against My Sail, Digital Humanities: Basic approaches to Principles, Perspectives and Practices, Discourse Politics and the June 12, 1993 Election Campaign Vol 1.

Others are: Politics, Discourse and the June 12 1993 Election: Immortalising An Illustrious Legacy (with a Special Chapter on Renewed Hope 2013) Vol 2, Language and Technology and Society: Essays in Honour of Josef Schmied

Also in the collection are: Explorations in  Digital Humanities Discourse and New Media Services: Essays in Honour of Professor Tunde Ope-Davies (Opeibi)-Vol 1

The seventh book, Explorations in Digital Humanities, Discourse and New Media Studies: Essays in honour of Professor Tunde Ope-Davies (Opeibi-Vol 2 was also presented at the event, which lasted for about four hours..

Speaking at the launch, Professor Toyin Ogundipe, who gave a keynote address at the event, described the collections as a great addition to the body of knowledge

He described Prof Ope-Davies as a unique gift to the University of Lagos while also noting that the launch of the seven volumes will serve as an intellectual resource for current and coming generations.

He said, ‘The significance of these books extends beyond the chores of Nigeria. Prof Ope-Davies has become an international scholar of great repute . We are fortunate to have such a man as our own. We need to take care of people like him.”

Ogundipe reasoned while delivering his lecture that the duty of the university is not to be involved in production and manufacturing, as some people sometimes want to challenge the system, but rather to generate knowledge that will be useful in the industries. He said that is exactly what Prof Ope-Davies has done.

He noted that the celebrant has been a mentor to many, having produced over 10 PhD holders and still counting.
Ogundipe also used the opportunity to urge the government to do everything possible to stop lecturers from going on strike.

According to him, for every ASUU strike, the university loses at least one academic staff member to foreign institutions.

The review

The seven volumes were reviewed at the event by Prof Sola Oyero, Mr Adeyjnka Adeyemi, Professor Aboaede Ademilua-Afolayan, and Dr Moji Shodipo Dosunmu. They all commended the effort of Prof Ope-Davies, describing the books in glowing terms and a great resource for the academic community.

Participants at the event, including old schoolmates of the celebrant, colleagues, mentors, mentees and captains of industry, supported the book while expressing appreciation for the great impact Prof Ope-Davies has made over the years.

In his remark, Prof Ope-Davies returned glory to God for the privilege to write and for life, saying, “All that I have achieved have been by his grace. The books are my own modest contribution to scholarship and humanity.

He thanked all those who came to rejoice with him while expressing gratitude for their sacrifice and for making the event a success.

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