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| Prof. Adebowale |
If a man is diligent in his work, he will stand tall before kings. This scriptural assertion captures this rounded personality, Prof. Oluyemisi Adebowale, an enigmatic individual who climbed the apogee of her career through handwork, constant strive for excellence and strong determination to not notwithstanding the societal spell against her gender.
Born on the 14th of May, 1958 to the family of Mr. S. F. Famakinwa of blessed memory and Mrs. C. A. Famakinwa in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, the young Olúyẹmísí had her primary education at the Local Authority Primary School, Akure in 1964. She proceeded to St. Louis Secondary School, Akure in 1970. Later, she left for The Polytechnic, Ibadan for her Advanced Level examinations in 1976.
In her thirst for univeristy education, she gained admission to the the prestigiois University of Ibadan in 1978 where she earned a B. Ed. (Hons) with 2nd Class Upper Division in Yoruba/History in 1981. Interestingly, Oluyemisi was the best graduating student in her set. She went back to the same school for her Masters degree in Yorùbá in 1984.
Olúyẹmísí joined the services of the then Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti as an Assistant Lecturer in 1985 and rose to the position of Senior Lecturer in 1995. She moved to Adekunle Ajasin University in 1999 when the Ondo State government relocated the university to Akungba-Akoko. In 2000, she was promoted Reader in and appointed Professor of Yorùbá Literature in 2005, thus becoming the first female Professor in the citadel of learning..
Her Inaugural Lecture titled “Writing and Reacting: The Experience in Indigenous Yorùbá Literary Art” delivered on Tuesday, 11th October, 2011 was the first to be delivered by a female Professor in the University.
If someone is relevant to his/her generation, she will be called out to dictate his/her price. This perhaps informs why she has been made to head many positions.
For instance, she was the Acting Head of Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages, from 1999 to 2003; and the Ag. Head of Department of Linguistics and Languages from 2006 to 2008. Apart from this, she also helf other administrative positions Hall Mistress, Female Hall, from 2000 to 2002; Member, Committee on Clubs and Societies from 2000 to 2002; Member, Admissions Committee from 2001 to 2002; Representative of Faculty of Arts in the Board of Postgraduate School from 2001 to March 2011; Member, Task Force on the Implementation of the First Phase of the University Master Plan, 2002; Hall Warden, Pioneer Hall, 2002 to 2010; Member, Students’ Disciplinary Committee, from 2004 to 2010; Member, Post-UTME Screening Committee from 2007 to 2009; Chairman, Faculty of the Social & Management Sciences Examination Misconduct Committee, 2007 to 2014; Member, Ceremonies Committee, from 2006 to 2008; Chairman, Ceremonies Committee, from 2008 to November, 2011; Ag. Dean, Postgraduate School from July to August 2009; Member, Committee on Non-FTE Programs, from February 2010 to September 2011; Chairman, Faculty of Arts Postgraduate Committee from May 2010 to March 2011; Head of Department, of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages at Ekiti State University from August 2011 to March 2012 during her Sabbatical Leave;
Others are: Member, Adekunle Ajasin Governing Council from September 2011 to December 2014; Member, Labor Industrial Relations Committee, from May 2012 to 2013; Dean, Students’ Affairs from August 2012 to 19th January 2014; Member, Yorùbá Cross-Border Vehicular Language Commission, from September 2012 to date; Chairman, Work-Study Review Committee, from January 2013 to February 2014; Dean, Faculty of Arts from 20th January to 19th January, 2015; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) from 23rd December 2014 to 23rd December 2016.
She has also served as the Managing Editor of Inquiry in African Languages and Literatures from 1994 to 2003; first female Editor of the Yorùbá: Journal of the Studies Association of Nigeria (YSAN) from November 2002 to November 2006; Treasurer of the Yorùbá Studies Association of Nigeria (YSAN) from November 2006 to 2008, Managing Editor, Inquiry in African Languages and Literatures from 1994 to 2011; Editor, Inquiry in African Languages and Literatures from 2016 till date and Editor, Akungba Journal of Linguistics and Literatures from 2016 till date.
Oluyemisi Adebowale was elected the first female President of the Yorùbá Studies Association of Nigeria (YSAN) in October 2012 for a two year term and was re-elected for another two year-term in 2014 but she had to hold the position until another President was elected in 2017.
She led other seasoned Yorùbá scholars to edit Ọ̀tun Ìmọ̀ Nínú Iṣé D. O. Fágúnwà, the anthology of critical essays written mostly in Yorùbá on Daniel Ọlọ́runfẹ́mi Fágúnwà to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of his demise.
The book project was initiated in year 2013, prosecuted and completed in year 2016 under her leadership as President of The Yoruba Studies Association of Nigeria (YSAN). YSAN under her leadership also worked on the Metalanguage that would make teaching Science and Technology in Yorùbá easier.
To this end, an initial Metalanguage Workshop was held at the Lagos State University in 2012 while two others which critiqued and reviewed the Metalanguage earlier generated held at the University of Ìbàdàn in 2016 with experts from various fields in attendance. The outcome of the Ìbàdàn Metalanguage Workshop will soon be published under the title- Ìwé Àkọ̀tun Èdè Ìperí Yorùbá.
She is a Member of Yorùbá Teachers’ Association of Nigeria, from 1984 to date; Member, Yoruba Studies Association of Nigeria, from 1988 to date; Member, Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), from 2017 to date.
Oluyemi has always been a woman of first: she was the best graduating student in her set, first female to earn a Ph. D. in Yorùbá from the University of Ibadan in 1994, first female to be appointed a professor in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, first female to deliver an inaugural lecture in the ivory tower. Above all, Oluyemisi was the first female deputy Vice Chancellor of the institution. Also she was the first female president of Yoruba Studies Association of Nigeria.
Olúyẹmísí Adébọ̀wálé is a poet, playwright and critic.
Publications
1989. “On a theory for Yorùbá Literature”, YORÙBÁ: Journal of Yorùbá Studies Association of Nigeria. Ìbàdàn. Special No: 66- 88.
1991a. “Àgbéyẹ̀wò Gbẹgẹdẹ Gbiná”, Yorùbá Gbòde: Ìwé Àtigbàdégbà ti Ẹgbẹ́ Akọ́mọlédè Yorùbá, Ìbàdàn: Macmillan Nig. Publishers. 108- 123.
1991b. “Sàngbá Fọ́!: A Satire of Nigerian Politics”, Journal of Issues in Social Science, Ado-Ekiti. Vol. 1, No. 3: 35-41.
1991c. “Crime and Society: The Yorùbá Playwrights Approach”, The Nigerian Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Ileṣa: Dabi Press & Publishing Co. Vol. 1, No. 1: 30-35.
1991d. “The Art of Ọlátúbọ̀sún Ọládàpọ̀” in Ifẹ African Languages and Literatures. Ile-Ifẹ. No. 3: 12- 16.
1995a. “The Detective in Yorùbá Crime-Fiction”. ỌLỌTA: Journal of African Studies, Ado-Ekiti. Vol. 1, No.1: 60- 68.
1995b. O Ṣèyí Tán. Àkúré: Montem Paperbacks.
1996a. “Ipò àti Ipa ti obìnrin kó nínú ìtàn-àròsọ ajemó-ọ̀ràn dídá”, Inquiry in African Languages and Literatures, Ado-Ekiti. No. 1: 66-77. (With Adéjùmọ̀, A.G.)
1996b. Why Cat Eats Rat, Lagos: The Capstone Publications.
1996c. The Unintelligent Bird. Lagos: The Capstone Publications.
1996d. ABD Yoruba Amáwòránlò. Lagos: The Capstone Publications.
1997a. Atọ́nà Àṣeyege Fún Alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀ 3. Lagos: The Capstone Publications.
1997b. Atọ́nà Àṣeyege Fún Alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀ 4. Lagos: The Capstone Publications.
1997c. Atọ́nà Àṣeyege Fún Alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀ 5. Lagos: The Capstone Publications.
1997d. Atọ́nà Àṣeyege Fún Alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀ 6. Lagos: The Capstone Publications.
1997e. “Political Communication in Yoruba Novels”, Journal of Nigerian Languages and Literatures, Unterschleissheim /Munchen, Germany. No. 5: 85-92.
1998a. “Ìlò Èdè Nínú Ìtàn-àròsọ Akínlàdé”. ZOBIAWA: Journal of the Department of Nigerian Languages, Ondo. Vol. 1, No. 1: 141- 151.
1998b. “Language and Character in Ọmọ Olókùn Ẹ̣ṣ̣in”. OLOTA: Journal of African Studies, Ado-Ekiti. Vol. 2, No 2: 93- 105.
1998c. “Yoruba Literary Writers on Health Education”. Journal of Health and Social Issues, Ado-Ekiti: Vol. 2, No 2: 30- 37. (With Adéjùmọ̀, A.G.)
1998d. Ìgbà Lonígbàá Kà . Lagos: The Capstone Publications.
1999a. Ọgbọ́n Òǹkọ̀wé Alátinúdá, Lagos: The Capstone Publications.
1999b. “Women as Victims of Violence: Yoruba Writers’ Perception”. Journal of Women in Development, Ado-Ekiti. Vol. 1, No 1: 7 - 13. (With Adéjùmọ̀, A.G.)
1999c.“Lámèyítọ́ àti Iṣẹ́ Òǹkọ̀wé Alátinúdá”. Inquiry in African Languages and Literatures, Ado-Ekiti. No 3: 22- 30.
1999d. “Ìfojú Tíọ́rì Ìṣègbefábo Wo Ipò Obìnrin Nínú Ètò Ìgbéyàwó: Àyẹ̀wò Ìtàn-Àròsọ Yorùbá”. Yoruba: Journal of the Yoruba Studies Association of Nigeria. Ibadan: Macmillan Nig. Publishers. Vol. 1 No. 1: 9 – 18.
2000a. “The Theme of Religion in Alàgbà Jeremáyà”. ODU: A Journal of West African Studies, Ile-Ife: OAU Press, No 40: 45-53.
2000b. “Ojú tí obìnrin fi wo ara rẹ̀ nínú Ẹkún Ìyàwó”. Láàngbàsà: Jọ́nà Iṣẹ́ Akadá Ní Èdè Yorùbá, Lagos. No. 9: 13-27.
2001a. “The Form and Structure of Ẹsẹ Ifá in Ojúlówó Oríkì Ifá” in Ifá and Related Genres. Cape Town: Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society. Adéwọlé, L.O. (ed). 74- 83.
2001b. “Alábàárò Ọmọ àti Èèmọ̀ Wọ̀lú” in Wá Gbọ́…, Abẹ́òkúta: Visual Resources Publishers, Adélékè, D. (ed.) 102 –106.
2002. “Abíọ́dún’s Poetic Perception of the Military in Nigerian Politics”. Journal of Black and Asian Affairs, Kinnet Mis Press, Atlanta GA. Summer, Vol. 2, No. 7: 23-35.
2003. Ewì Àtàtà. Lagos: Abimas Nigeria Company.
2005. “Ìwòréré Ayé Nínú Bọ̀bọ́ Àlúità”. Inquiry in African Languages & Literatures. No. 6: 37-51.
2006a. “A Womanist Reading of Adejumọ’s Rò ó o Re”, Amu: Akungba Journal of Humanities.Vol.1, No 1, 33-57.
2006b. “Ojú Tí Akéwì Obìnrin Fi Wo Abo”, Láàngbàsà: Jọ́nà Iṣẹ́ Akadá Ní Èdè Yorùbá. Lagos. No. 12: 119-140.
2008. “Images of Women in the Poetry of Akínwùmí Ìṣọ̀lá” in Emerging Perspectives on Akínwùmí Ìṣọ̀lá. New Jersey: Africa World Press, Inc. Akinyẹmi, A. and Falọla, T. (eds.) 301- 314.
2009a. Ẹ̀kọ́ Èdè Yorùbá Titun (JSS) Ìwé Kìn-ín-ní. Ìbàdàn: University Press PLC. First published in 1987 (With Oyèbámijí Mustapha, Ayọ̀ Àlàgbé, Oyèdèmí Oyèrìndé)
2009b.Ẹ̀kọ́ Èdè Yorùbá Titun (JSS) Ìwé Kejì. Ìbàdàn: University Press PLC. First published in 1987 (With Oyèbámijí Mustapha, Ayọ̀ Àlàgbé, Oyèdèmí Oyèrìndé
2009c. Ẹ̀kọ́ Èdè Yorùbá Titun (JSS) Ìwé Kìn-ín-ní. Ìbàdàn: University Press PLC. First published in 1988 (With Oyèbámijí Mustapha, Ayọ̀ Àlàgbé, Oyèdèmí Oyèrìndé)
2010a. “Àgbékalẹ̀ àti Ìlò Èdè Nínú Fàbú: Àkójọpọ̀ Àwàdà” in New Findings in Nigerian Languages and Literature: A Festschrift in Honour of Ọladele Awobuluyi. Akurẹ: Montem Paperbacks. 295-310.
2010b. “Ìhà tí Akéwì Yorùbá kọ sí Ẹbí” Yorùbá Gbòde: Ìwé Àtigbàdégbà Àtigbàdégbà ti Ẹgbẹ́ Akọ́mọlédè Yorùbá, Ìbàdàn: Macmillan Nig. Publishers Plc. Vol. 4, No. 4: 223-244.
2011. Writing and Reacting: The Experience in Indigenous Yorùbá Literary Art. 5th Inaugural Lecture delivered at the Adekunle Ajaṣin University, Akungba-Akoko on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. Akungba-Akoko: Adekunle Ajaṣin University.
2013. “Ẹ̀kọ́ Yorùbá nínú ìṣàmójútó àti ìyanjú aáwọ̀ láwùjọ”, Ìtànṣán Oòduà: Jónà Ẹgbẹ́ Olùkọ́ Èdè Yorùbá. Fol. 2, No 1: 1-27.
2014. “Lítíréṣọ̀ Yorùbá, Ọ̀rọ̀ Ààbò àti Ìdàgbàsókè Orílẹ̀-èdè”, Yorùbá: Jọ́nà Ẹgbẹ́ Onímọ̀ Èdè Yorùbá. Fol. 8, No 1: 1-27.
2014. Ẹ̀kọ́ Èdè Yorùbá Titun (SSS) Ìwé Kìn-ín-ní. Ìbàdàn: University Press PLC. (With Tèmítọ́pẹ́ Olúmúyìwá, Ayọ̀ Àlàgbé, Oyèdèmí Oyèrìndé, Oyèbámijí Mustapha)
2014. Ẹ̀kọ́ Èdè Yorùbá Titun (SSS) Ìwé Kejì. Ìbàdàn: University Press PLC (With Tèmítọ́pẹ́ Olúmúyìwá, Ayọ̀ Àlàgbé, Oyèdèmí Oyèrìndé, Oyèbámijí Mustapha)
2014. Ẹ̀kọ́ Èdè Yorùbá Titun (SSS) Ìwé Kẹta. Ìbàdàn: University Press PLC (With Tèmítọ́pẹ́ Olúmúyìwá, Ayọ̀ Àlàgbé, Oyèdèmí Oyèrìndé, Oyèbámijí Mustapha)
2016. “Akínwùmí Ìṣọ̀lá Gẹ́gẹ́ bí Olùkọ́ni Ní Àṣà”, Àṣà, Èrò àti Èdè Nínú Iṣẹ́-ọnà aláwòmọ́- Lítíréṣọ̣̀ Àkínwùmí Ìṣọ̀lá. Ìbàdàn: DB Martoy Books. Adélékè, D.A. (ed). 110-130.
2016. “Àbùdá Àdámọ́ ìkọ̣́ni nínú ìtàn-àròsọ D. O. Fágúnwà” Ọ̀tun Ìmọ̀ nínú Itàn-àròsọ D. O. Fágúnwà, Lagos: The Capstone Publications. Adébọ̀wálé, O., Adélékè, D., Adéjùmọ̀, A. (ol.). 2-22.
2016. Ọ̀tun Ìmọ̀ nínú Itàn-àròsọ D. O. Fágúnwà. Lagos: The Capstone Publications. (With Adélékè, D., Adéjùmọ̀, A. (ol.).
2016. ‘On The Place of Dialects in Selected Yorùbá Video Films’, English Lingua Journal, Vol. 2 Issue 1:37-58. DSPM Research Lab, Mostaganem University Press, University of Mostaganem, Algeria. Available at: http://www.eljournal.org (With Olúmúyìwá, O. T.)
2016. ‘Àgbéyẹ̀wò Èrò Akéwì Lórí Ewì’ to appear in Yorùbá Studies in a Changing World: A Festschrift in Honor of Olúgbóyèga Àlàbá (Forthcoming).
2016/2017. ‘Ìhà tí Akéwì Yorùbá kọ sí Ẹ̀kọ́’, Láàngbàsà: Jọ́nà Iṣẹ́ Akadá Ní Èdè Yorùbá, Lagos. No. 20 (With Arówóṣẹgbẹ́, D. B.)
2018. Ẹyin Lohùn. Ìbàdàn: DB Martoy Books. (Forthcomig).
