AELEX PARTNERS Host 12th Annual Lecture tagged: Schooling without Learning

This Year, one of the Leading Law Firms in Nigeria, Aelex Partners are set to host their 12th Annual Lecture tagged: Schooling Without Learning.

Here are the profiles of some of the discussants to grace this year's panel:

CHAIR Chief Mrs ‘Folake Solanke, SAN, CON Chief ‘Folake Solanke SAN, CON, B.A., Dip. Ed., FNIALS, LL.D (h.c.), D. Litt (h.c.), D. Lit. (h.c.) is a lawyer with over fifty­ two years of practice experience. She was the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and has received numerous awards, including the national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger. She is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. Chief Solanke was born in Abeokuta, Ogun state on 29thMarch 1932 to the family of Chief Jacob Sogboyega Odulate and Mrs Sekumade Odulate.Chief Odulate was a pharmacist and the inventor and manufacturer of ALABUKUN powder. From 1937 to 1939, she attended Ago Oko primary school and thenattended Emo Girls school in Abeokuta from 1940 to 1944. She then went on to study at the Methodist Girls High School in Lagos from 1945 to 1949 where she obtained the first Grade I in the Senior Cambridge School Certificate examination. After Methodist GirlsHigh School, she worked briefly as a clerk at a Ministry in Lagos.In January 1951, she left the Ministry to study at King’s College, England and at the University of Durham (now the University ofNewcastle-upon-Tyne) in England, United Kingdomfrom1951 to1955 where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree and Diploma in Education respectively.Upon graduation, she taught Latin and Mathematics as a resident teacher at the Pipers Corner School inBuckinghamshire, England, and St. Monica’s Schoolin Essex, England. She also taught at Yejide Girls’ Grammar School in Ibadan, Oyobetween 1958 and 1960.   She worked as a Students’ Officer, No. 7 at the Nigerian High Commission in London between 1960 and 1962. During this period, she studied law at the Gray’s Inn where she passed the Bar examination and was called to the English Bar “in-absentia” in May 1963. She immediately enrolled as a lawyer with the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Upon her enrolment, she underwent pupillage at the law firm of Mr. M.A. Odesanya.She subsequentlyworkedat Chief F.R.A. Williams’law firm in Ibadan from 1963 to 1966 and, in 1966, established the first female-owned law office in Ibadan known as the Alabukun Law­ Chambers in honour of her father.   In 1970, shejoined Zonta International, a global organization of executives in business and the professions working for the advancement of women. She is a member of the Zonta Club of Ibadan. In 1992, she was elected as the first non-Caucasian Zonta International President for the 1994 – 1996 term in Hong Kong. She has honorary degrees from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Obafemi Awolowo University (Ile-Ife), University of lbadan and the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna. She has also been honoured by numerous other Institutions.She received the International Bar Association Distinguished International Woman Lawyer Award in London in 2012. She has published over 100 books and papers, including her autobiography titled Reaching for the Stars: the Autobiography of Folake Solankein 2007. She married Dr. Toriola Feisetan Solanke in 1956, who sadly passed away in 2001. Together, they have 3 children. She enjoys reading, writing, speech-making, walking, dancing and elementaryyoga.

SPEAKER Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe Picture Profile   Professor Ibidapo-ObeBSc, Maths, PhD, FAS, FAAS, FAEng., FASCE, OFR,is a Distinguished Professor, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State (2000-2007) and the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State(2011-2016). He was conferred with the Order of Merit, Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2004/5.   Professor Ibidapo-Obe attended Government Demonstration School (Cappa-Ilesa), Lagos Street African Church School Ebute Metta, Obokun High School/Ilesa Grammar School and Igbobi College in Yaba. In 1971, he went on to study Mathematics at the prestigious University of Lagos, where he graduated with 1stClass Honours. He has a doctorate degree from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. He has attended developmental programmes at the Oxford University in England, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University,Massachusetts, USA. He has also had several teaching and research engagements in the Universities of Waterloo, Toronto, Texas Southern, Southern and Penn State, to name a few. He was a Western Region Scholar, Commonwealth Scholar and a Senior Fulbright Research Scholar and has had several international teaching/research awards and exposures with over 200 refereed publications. He was Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and was adjudged the Best Vice Chancellor for 2 years. Prior to his appointment as Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos in 2000, he served meritoriously as Head of Department and Dean of the Faculty. He was also the Chairman Presidential Committee on Brain Drain, Pioneer National Coordinator of the UNDP-TOKTEN as well as the pioneering Managing Director of UNILAG CONSULT. He was also the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science(2009-2013). Professor O Ibidapo-Obe is currently the Pro Chancellor of The Technical University Ibadan, the Apeluwa of Ile Ife. He is married to Olusola, the Yeye Apeluwa,and they are blessed with 4 children and many grandchildren.

DISSCUSANT Dr. Adamu Jatau Noma Picture Profile Dr. Adamu Jatau Noma, MNI was born on 3 January, 1963. He is from Kabi Mangoro within the Kuje Area Council, FCT- Abuja. He was raised by the Late Emir of Abuja (now Suleja), Alhaji Suleiman Barau from whom the name ‘Suleja’ was adopted by the Federal Government. Dr. Noma is a Member of the National Institute (MNI). He attended LEA Primary School, Wuse from 1968 to 1974 and GTC Abuja from 1974 to 1979. He then studied at Federal College of Education, Pankshin in 1980 and got his NCE in 1983. He went on to study Geography and Education at the prestigious University of Jos in 1986. He has a Master’s degree (M.Sc) in Population Studies, Man Power Planning and Development (Human Resources Planning and Development) from the University of Jos. He also has a doctorate degree in Population and Man Power Planning and Development from the University of Abuja. Dr. Noma has held various educational posts in the FCT. He has been a class teacher, Vice Principal, and was an inspector of Primary Schools in the Kuje Area Council. He worked briefly with the Centre for Democratic Studies (CDS) as well as the National Population Commission (NPC) on secondment. He served as the Education Secretary of Kuje Local Education Authority for 8 years. He was also an Assistant Director, Special Services and Programmes at the FCT Administration Education Secretariat. From there, he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Director and appointed Secretary, FCT Agency for Mass Education where he served for 2 years. Dr. Noma has served on different committees which were set up to promote education delivery in Nigeria. He was the President of the Nigeria Education Secretaries, a position he held until 2012. He was also appointed as the Board Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board in 2010 and he later became the Acting Director of the Board. He was later elevated to the position of Director, FCT UBE Board in 2012,a position he holds till date. Dr. Noma has won over 200 awards for his meritorious services. He was nominated by the FCT Administration and finally selected by President Goodluck Jonathan to attend Course 37 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru in Plateau State. He obtained the award of Member of the National Institute upon completion of the course at the NIPSS. He has six publications to his credit and has presented many papers. Dr Noma is married with children. In addition to reading and engaging in academic discussion, he enjoys travelling and putting smiles on people’s faces. He hates injustice.

DISSCUSANT Professor Tunde Fatunde Picture   Profile   Professor Tunde Fatunde was born in Makurdi, Benue State on 11th December 1951. He is currently a professor in the Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos.He is also a correspondent for several international print and electronic media organizations in both English and French. He speaks and writes English, French and Pidgin English fluently. He obtained Premier et Deuxieme Degree in Etudes de langue francaise (French Studies) from L’institut De Touraine, Tours (France) in 1972. He then went on to study French at the prestigious University of Ibadan where he graduated with a 2nd Class Upper Division honours in 1975. He has a doctorate degree in Communication Arts from the University of Bordeaux, France. He holds a Diploma in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa, United States of America. He also holds a Diploma in Advanced News Gathering and Editorial Writing in French and English languages from the Radio France International (RFI), Paris. He has taught various French courses at undergraduate and graduate level. He was a Lecturer at University of Benin, Edo and a senior Lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Oyo. He has held various positions at the Lagos State University, such as member of the Governing Council; member the Senate;the Coordinator of Admissions; Chairman of ICT; Chairman, Ad-Hoc Committee; and acting Head of the Department of Foreign Languages. He is currently the President of the University French Teachers’ Association (UFTAN);a position he has held since 2014. He has written many articles and has contributed to several educational books/journals published in Nigeria, Bénin, France and the United Kingdom. He has also written many plays, poems and short stories. He is currently working on a Research work titled “The Contradictory images of Islam in Africa’s Francophone Literatures.” Professor Fatunde was a press stringer for the African Development Bank (ADB), a Director of Sunray publications, Media Consultant to UNESCO and Resource Person for the British Broadcasting Service (BBC), London and the World Bank. He is the founder and coordinator of Fatunde Francophony Foundation (FFF), which was established in 2011 to promote the study of French language in Nigerian universities, colleges of education and secondary schools (www.fffnigeria.org). He was the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors, he was a Bilingual media and communication consultant with WANAD-training of communication and media officers in the sub-region of West Africa; Foundation Editor of Clarion, a quarterly news and information publication of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); former Assistant General Secretary of Poets, Essayists, Publishers and Novelists (PEN), Nigerian Chapter; Former member, Board of Governors - Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), a leading human rights organization in Nigeria. He is married with children. He enjoys playing volleyball, swimming and jogging.

DISSCUSANT Mrs Adora Ojo     Profile Adora Emily Ojo is a consummate educationist, counsellor and reformer with over 30 years’ experience. Adora graduated from the University of Lagos with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy in 1983. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Lagos. She started teaching in 1987 at Our Lady of Apostles’ Secondary School in Yaba, Lagos, where she taught History and English Language until 1996. She acted as a class and subject teacher, year tutor, member of the literary and debating society, member of the speech and prize-giving day committee, matron of the Christian Students’ Fellowship and the school’s red house and active member of the school’s counselling team. While at Our Lady of Apostles’ Secondary School, she obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). In 1996, she was transferred to Birrel Avenue Senior High School, Yaba where she spent twelve (12) years as a classroom and subject teacher, year tutor of final year students, member of the Speech and Prize-giving Day Committee, Co-coordinator of the Literary and Debating Society, Secretary to the Disciplinary Committee, Secretary to the Continuous Assessment Committee, Matron of the Blue House and Head of Department (Languages). She was also appointed as the Secretary of the Continuous Assessment Committee. In 2008, Adora was transferred to Fazl- I-Omar Senior High School, Iwaya and appointed as the Vice Principal. She oversaw and monitored the implementation and evaluation processes of the curriculum. She was the Chairman of the Continuous Assessment Committee, the Time-Table Committee, Sports Committee, Co-Curriculum Committee, and of the Students’ Representative Council. Adora has attended a number of professional and management training programmes organized by the Lagos State Teachers’ Establishment and Pension Office (TEPO), British Council and some private management outfits within and outside of the country. She is a registered member of The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), the English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria (ELTAN), the British Council English Language Teaching Contacts Scheme (ELTeCS) and a former executive member of The Lagos State Chapter of The English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria. In recognition of her outstanding performance, and after she emerged as the best Vice-Principal in District IV for Senior Schools in the same year, the Lagos State Government awarded her the 2nd best Vice-Principal in Lagos State Senior Schools in 2010. After a rigorous recruitment process, Adora was appointed as the Principal of the International School (ISL), University of Lagos, where she served for six (6) years, between 2011 and 2017. She was a volunteer teacher and later served as the director of her church community vacation school for over twelve (12) years. She is married to Tunde Ojo and they are blessed with four children and a grandson.

DISSCUSANT Swanta Blessing Bonat Picture Profile Swanta Blessing Bonat is from Samaru Kataf of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. She is currently the Head Teacher/Principal of KYCA Academy, Sagwaza Gora,anursery, primary and secondary school in one of the rural communities of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State with the desire to make the school function as a 21stcentury school should. She is a certified teacher with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and an educator with special interest in children development. She has been dedicated to the cause of ensuring that children – particularly those in rural areas - acquire quality education.She has a BA in Education (CRS) from the University of Jos and a Master’s degree in Christian Education from ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos. In July 2016, she left her job in Abuja to return to her rural home town as a volunteer teacher at the community school, where she taught literacy to children in primary1 for about 10 months. Within 3 months, she was able to get financial support from her friends to transform her rural class into a standard classroom, obtain learning materials for her pupils and secure funding to connect the school to the main source of water supply in the community.  She started The Staff Room with Swanta- a teachers’ group on Facebook- in April 2016, to help teachers network, share their stories and seek help when needed. She also started the Rural English Literacy (REL) program in August 2016 to help public school children sharpen their English literacy skills for free. So far,the Program has helped close to 100 children. She has a book club in her house, where school children come in to read books and interact.  Swanta is a firm believer that children, irrespective of ethnicity, location, religion and social status have the right to quality education. This gave birth to her NGO called Community Outreach for Educational Change; a project that she believes will change the status quo by providing educational support for children in rural and disadvantaged areas.