Prof Walker's Type Is Rare To Find In The Academia, Says Chrisland University VC

The Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Prof. Mrs. Chinedum Peace Babalola has described the Dean, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. Oladapo Walker as having made extraordinary contributions to the development of the Institution through selfless service.

She made this remark during the 70th birthday celebration of Prof. Walker held at Paul Hendrickse Lecture Hall at University College Hospital, Ibadan to celebrate Prof. Walker’s excellent and milestone contributions to the development of internal medicine, clinical pharmacology and his numerous research activities into malaria in Nigeria.

Prof. Babalola, congratulated the celebrant on behalf of the Chancellor, High Chief Dr Mrs. Winifred Awosika, Board of Trustees Members, Governing Council, staff and students for his laudable achievements made possible by his unflinching resolve to touch humanity by providing leadership insight, direction, knowledge, wisdom, benevolence, and resourcefulness to a huge number of people and organizations.

Prof Babalola said further: “Your selfless services to Chrisland University as the Guest Speaker at the 4th Matriculation Ceremony, Consultant for Medical Programmes from inception and currently the Dean of Basic Medical Sciences of the University are highly commendable. The history of the College of Basic Medical Sciences cannot be written without your wonderful impact and input. On this distinct occasion, we at Chrisland University celebrate your birthday and lifetime service to God and humanity. May God bless your future years more than before”.

Prof. Oladapo Walker was appointed Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics of the University of Ibadan in 1995. He is the author of over 80 peer-review publications and 6 monograms and supervised numerous Masters and PhD, many of who are now Professors in their own right. 

During his tenure in Ibadan, he was the lead WHO Investigator for severe and complicated malaria, which described the risk factors for severe malaria disease in children in Nigeria.  As a result of the malaria research and application of the findings in cerebral malaria, there was a demonstration of a clear and dramatic reduction in mortality among children in coma which had hitherto been diagnosed as viral encephalitis with almost 100% fatality.  The team conducted several studies on the pharmacokinetics of some antimalarial drugs including mefloquine and halafanthrine and artemisinine.

Prof. Walker is married to Ebunlomo, a Family Physician, Harvard-trained International Health Practitioner, and Founder of a Health and Development non-governmental organization for women and children, for which the family has passionately expended much resources.

Present at the event were the Registrar, Chrisland University, Mr. Samuel Omotoso, the Head of Department, Nursing Science, Prof. Prisca Adejumo and several Heads of Department, and Faculty Members in the College of Basic Medical Sciences.