Professor J.O. Olopade has emphasized the pivotal role of the head within any organization during his inaugural lecture held at Trenchard Hall on Thursday, September 21, 2023.
Professor of Anatomy shared his research and breakthrough on the head of animals, his experience so far as a head, and what is required of the head in any organisation while speaking on his topic titled; Headlines, Head-start Research, and Headships at Ibadan: A Veterinarian Academic Journey.
Olopade metaphorically described a leader as the "head" of an organization, with each component attached to it functioning cohesively.
In his words, 'The head must be a visionary and thus see far away, must have listening ears, must be able to discern or smell deceptions from advice, should be a partaker with those he or she leads, should be one who will swallow a lot of insults, bite and chew, if necessary, and most importantly, use his or her brain to coordinate all these actions as appropriate.'
Furthermore, Professor Olopade emphasized that leaders should engage in critical thinking to provide solutions to complex issues. He urged leaders to take decisive actions rather than being mere figureheads, as passivity can lead to deteriorating situations.
He passionately stated, 'The head should not be hesitant or afraid to make bold or daring decisions. We cannot afford headless bodies, double-headed monsters, figure heads, and elephant-headed projects.'
He added 'While leadership remains tough, people who desire to serve must accept or take responsibility. It's the head that wags the tail.'
In recognition of his contributions, Professor Olopade has received numerous accolades, including four awards for Best Lecturer in 2000, 2002, 2010, and 2017 within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Moreover, he is a highly cited veterinarian in Africa, particularly in the field of neuroscience. He stands as one of the six scientists in Africa who have been awarded a 5-year grant from the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation for pandemic preparedness on the continent to mention a few. Additionally, he enjoys a happy marriage and is blessed with two sons.
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