As Muslims around the world continue to make positive impact in different professions, a new academic and scholarly feat has been recorded at the most-sought University of Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central area of Nigeria.
A Muslim Don, Lukman Olasina Azeez has been elevated to the cadre of Professor of Mass Communication, making him the first lecturer to achieve this feat since the creation of the department in 2005!
Though the elevation of Dr. Azeez is still awaiting the approval of the University’s Governing Council under the chairmanship of Engr. Abdullah Jibril Oyekan (MFR), Muslim News findings revealed that his colleagues, including students have been in jubilation mood since the news broke.
A former Head and a pioneer staff of the Department, Dr. Azeez, the ‘Jagaban’ as he is proudly called by colleagues in the department received the notice of his elevation on Wednesday, February 25, 2021, which many considered as a long awaiting honour.
The appointment did not come as a surprise to many who know Dr. Azeez as the dedicated lecturer who carries out his teachings, research and other managerial assignments with complete zeal of hope and friendly nature amidst students and staff of the department and the University community.
The 48-year-old with 12 years lecturing experience at the University of Ilorin, is a graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, where he later obtained his Master’s degrees in Mass Communication, and International Law and Diplomacy.
He furthered his education to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Communication Studies from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
Dr. Azeez, who assumed the position of Lecturer II in the Department of Mass Communication in 2005 has held relevant positions in the department as well as the Faculty of Communication and Information Science.
He was the former Acting Head, Department of Mass Communication from 2018 -2019 and Sub Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences from 2015 – 2017.
Other positions he holds in the institution include: Director, Advancement Office of the University of Ilorin; Chairman, Unilorin Bulletin Editorial Board; Member, Unilorin FM Radio; Member, Unilorin Publishing House and Faculty Representative, Unilorin Postgraduate School, among others.
Asides working in the academic environment, Dr. Azeez is the current Coordinator/Facilitator of the International Institute of Journalism, Ilorin Study Center, a training wing of the Nigeria Union of Journalism (NUJ). He is also a member of the Unilorin Chapel of the Union in the State.
He was also at the Ibadan polytechnic, where he use to be a part-time lecturer and also a press officer for the Ministries of Finance, Women Affairs and Information in the Oyo State Government.
The communications scholar is also a Member of the Association of International Law, Member of African Council for Communication Education, Member of Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria and Fellow of the Institute of Human and Natural Resources.
He is also an Associate Member of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.
Dr. Azeez, at his undergraduate and postgraduate levels won several first positions/awards and published many research works, having also authored over 40 publications.
Reacting to his elevation, students across the departments in the faculty were full of joy.
Among them, a postgraduate student of Mass Communication in the department, Mr. Muhammad Kameel, Omotosho, said that Dr. A. L. Azeez’s elevation was not unexpected, adding, ‘In fact, I would describe it as belated. This is because the communication Don has always been a semblance of excellence in all ramifications as far as communications field of study is concerned.
‘All in all, I join the thousands of well-wishers in congratulating the noble scholar on his well-deserved elevation and I pray Allah in His infinite mercy continue to guide and guard him as the pioneer professor of Mass Communication at University of Ilorin, Mass Communication Department’, he added.
Also speaking, Miss. Labibah Mustafa, an undergraduate whose tutelage is under Dr. Azeez said that, “For us all in the department, it is worthy of celebration and appreciation to God Almighty”. Asserting further, ‘It is my prayer that the Lord Almighty will bless this attainment and make it a greater pedestal to serve Him and humanity better’.
While commenting, the Director of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Mr. Kunle Akogun, said, ‘I Congratulate Dr. Lukman Azeez, the Editorial Board Chairman of Unilorin Bulletin, on your promotion to the much-awaited professorial rank. With this, you have set an enviable record as the very first Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin. Kudos! Barakkallahu fihi!’
Also, Baba Joseph Olafare of the Registry Unit, University of Ilorin, ‘I join others in Congratulating Prof. L. A. Azeez on his new Promotion. Ko si oun ti Suru se ti, nitori akoko Olorun lo dara ju. I Congratulate the Unilorin Bulletin Editorial Board and the Journalism profession. Once again, Congratulations’.
