Dr. Fadekemi Oyewusi

BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FADEKEMI OYEWUSI Dr. Fadekemi Oyewusi was born in Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria to the family of Mr. and Mrs. J.A Sangowusi. Fadekemi was raised in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Nigeria. She attended Abadina College, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Oyo State for her secondary education after which she gained admission into the University of Ibadan to study Special Education at the University's Faculty of Education. She graduated from the University with a Bachelor of Education degree {B.Ed. (Hons)}. Upon graduation from the University, Fadekemi served her Country under the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in Funtua, Katsina State. In 2008, she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Ibadan. Ibadan, Oyo State. She started her professional duties as Librarian II in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso. Fadekemi relocated from Ogbomosho to take up an appointment as a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Educational Media Resource Studies, University of Ibadan. She was an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies University of Ibadan where she taught different postgraduate courses to masters and doctoral students. Fadekemi has supervised over thirty postgraduate students at masters and doctoral levels.. Fadekemi has many publications as chapters in books, conference proceedings and learned journals in Nigeria and international outlets. Her research focus was on Information Management, School librarianship with emphasis on: knowledge and skills of librarians. Focussing on school library environment and learning resources, reading cultures of children and Bibliotherapy. Fadekemi attended many local and international conferences on school librarianship where she presented papers. She presented a Faculty lecture titled ‘New Wine in an Old Wine skin: The Trajectory of School Libraries in Nigeria' on 11 July, 2018 at the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Until her passing on into glory, Fadekemi was carrying on research on the following "Library Use and Reading Habits as Predictors of Information Literacy Competencies", "Media preference as a factor influencing use of health information among young adults", "Instructional media adoption as prediction of teaching effectiveness among lecturers". Fadekemi was a member of the following professional associations: Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Nigerian School Library Association (NSLA), International Association of School Librarianship (IASL), Reading Association of Nigeria (RAN), International Literacy Association (ILA) and International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). She served as a member of the Executive of the Nigerian Library Association (Oyo State Chapter) in different positions and was the University Representative from 1996 to 1998. Fadekemi was the Assistant Treasurer from 1998 to 2000 and second Vice Chairman from 2003 to 2006. Fadekemi was the Treasurer of the Nigerian School Library Association in 2012. She was a representative of International. Association of School Librarianship (IASL) and was given the award of the Librarian of the year in October 2018 by IASL. She held different administrative positions in the University of Ibadan which included: Acting Director, Centre for Educational Media Resource Studies from February 2012 to July 2016; Senate Representative, Kenneth Dike Library Appointment and Promotion Panel from October 2013 to July 2015. She was a Member of Senate from February 2012 to July 31 2016 and also a member of the UI community Television Establishment committee from January to April 2017. Fadekemi was part of the Committee on the production of University of Ibadan research strength profile in June 2017 and Ceremonials Committee in 2016. As the Acting Director of the Centre for Educational Media Resource Studies, Fadekemi coordinated readership and library use promotion campaigns such as International School Library month, World Book day, Story hour, Reading culture seminar among others. Fadekemi was involved in outreach programmes such as visiting schools and sensitising them on the importance of books and reading and celebrating World Book Day. She was passionate about children, their literacies and reading. Her normal slogan was "Wealth is in Reading" and she was involved in making this a reality in different programmes that she was opportuned to be involved in. Fadekemi was a Visiting Scholar at the Department of Interdisciplinary Research (Library Science Program), College of Education, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America from August 2018 until she passed on. She was engaged in teaching Research Methods on the Master in Library Science (MLS) program and carrying out research. She was involved in different outreach programs visiting schools to share her love of reading in North Pitt High School. She had a presentation to 3rd grade students at The Oakwood School on ‘Why they love the library?' Fadekemi was married to the Late Pastor Adewumi Oyewusi. Their union is blessed with a beautiful daughter; Jemimah. Her husband transitioned into glory in September, 2017. Her Hobbies were Reading, Singing and Travelling. Fadekemi transitioned into glory on the Monday, the 29th of June, 2020 due to natural causes. She is survived by an aged mother, a daughter (Jemimah), sisters, brothers, in-laws, uncles, aunties and cousins. Autobiography of Dr. Fadekemi Oyewusi Below is an excerpt culled from her story shared in 2018 on BE INSPIRED SERIES. Culled from the facebook page of Toyin Olukoju Omozuwa. I am Dr. Fadekemi Oyewusi, an associate professor at Centre for Educational Media Resource Studies, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. I had my Master's and Doctoral Degrees from Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. My research interest includes Information Management, School Librarianship and Bibliotherapy. I love working with children and young adults especially encouraging them to read and use the library. Got born again at 16 years by the grace of God. Married to a good loving husband who was a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God. He transitioned to be with the Lord on 26th September, 2017. I am also aan ordained minister of God at RCCG. I grew up in a loving environment with principled parents who would not waste time to spank us when we erred. The University of Ibadan abode we lived in provided the right environment to be motivated academically as well as easy access to books and comics. We bought books at the Staff Club and from vendors in front of the university gate in the 80s. These books came as gifts from my father as rewards for success after every examination. My mother used to buy books for me on motor cycling, racing, and comics to improve my use of the English Language. The memories while growing up are one of my cherished assets and everyone around me hears these stories. My love for reading inspired me to study Library Science at the master's level in the University. I felt I would be able to read all the books in the Library without restraints from anyone. The reading culture in Nigeria is gradually improving because people now read online. You see people trying to read information from social media, which is a good step towards reading. But the question is: What are people reading? Reading books especially for pleasure is poor and there are several factors responsible for this. For example, the cost of good novels is still expensive for the common man who has not been paid salary for several months. They can barely buy textbooks for their children and we are talking about reading for pleasure. In addition, the public libraries that are to provide access to information are not in existence or poorly funded, so you find old books. Parents have a role to play in encouraging and promoting a reading culture in children. To encourage this reading culture in children, parents need to read themselves. We need leaders who will also read so as not to make the mistake their predecessors made. Parents need to decrease the "owanbe" clothes bought yearly and buy more books for their children, Books can be donated to schools and given as birthday presents or Christmas gifts to other people or adults. I give book gifts to "whoever" is celebrating "whatever". Bibliotherapy, which is one of my research interests is employed in libraries with the intention to control the behaviour of young people positively. It is also known as reading therapy, book therapy or use of books for healing. When I was the Acting Director of Centre for Educational Media Resource Studies (CEMRS), University of Ibadan, between 2012 and 2016, I introduced many innovative ideas to the Centre e.g. Makerspace. I was able, by the Grace of God, to get a new building for the centre. I do not joke with anything that has to do with books and reading, hence my drive towards hosting many programmes related to reading. We hosted Prof Wole Soyinka once in 2014. By God's grace, I also coordinated the celebration of annual World Book Day and International School Library Month celebrations with school librarians throughout Nigeria. We all go through divers challenges, pains, trauma, etc. My husband's transition to glory on September 26, 2017 is the most traumatic event I ever experienced. We talked few minutes before he suddenly passed on. So, it was hard for me to believe. Then, accusations of different types (the African society syndrome in this kind of situation) were also traumatic. Trusting in the Lord alone has been my watchword. The song "In Christ Alone" made more meaning. I had good support system among my family members and friends. I also met some young widows (about 10), during this period and was able to draw some strength from their support. I decided to take them out to Lunch after 7 months of heart to heart discussions. It was at that point I knew young widows have no support in Nigeria. There are many things they pass through and can't share because people can't understand, except one who has been there. So, I decided to form a group for the sisters where we discuss. Thank God, they are doing well and moving forward. This gives me Joy. It takes the grace of God to move forward after the loss of a loved one, especially one's spouse. The African society does not expect you to be happy as a widow. But looking unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith makes the difference. I hope to have an NGO for widows, especially the young ones in future. On a final note, I will leave you with these words, trust in God alone. and be diligent in everything you do. Written by Dr Fadekemi Oyewusi