Dr. P. O. Awofadeju: The Rise of a Scholar

 

Dr. Peter Olayinka Awofadeju was born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Olanrewaju Pamisi AWOFADEJU, the both parents were from Ilesa in Osun State, but lived and died in Ibadan. His father was an educated and a successful business man.

Dr. Peter Olayinka Awofadeju is a determined young man, who wished to succeed in life by all means. He lost his father at the age of four, he was left with his three siblings and mother, he started his primary education at Abiola Jacob Primary School in Ibadan in year 1988, proceeded to Community Grammar School where he had his secondary education between year 1994 to 2000.  He later sat for the present SSCE he is using at Oluyole Grammar School in year 2001.

Dr. Awofadeju got admission into Osun State Polytechnic, Iree to study Mass Communication in year 2002. Though his decision was to study Law at the University, but due to the challenges faced from JAMB (UME), he decided to proceed to polytechnic. He completed his National Diploma in year 2004 and moved to Olabisi Onabanjo University in year 2005 through Direct Entry to continue his course of study (Mass Communication). He specialized in Public Relations as the Department had only Public Relations and Advertising. These two options supposed to be together, but to give students advantage of slitting, the programme was divided. But for his M.Sc and PhD, he had them as Public Relations and Advertising (PRAD)

Dr. Awofadeju completed his Bachelor of Art in Mass Communication in year 2008 and served his father’s land (NYSC) in Gusau, Zamfara State in year 2009 to 2010. He was blessed to have his NYSC done together with Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) and Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) there in Zamfara State while serving.

Before he left Ogun State for NYSC in Zamfara State, he was teaching in secondary school. As soon as he returned from service, he went back into teaching where he gained experience on school administration. He worked till he became Principal of a private secondary school. In November that same year (2010), he got his first lecturing appointment with Osun State Polytechnic, Iree as part-time lecturer which he did for close to four years.

Dr. Awofadeju had his M.Sc. Communication Studies at Lagos State University between year 2011 and 2012 while he was working with Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. As soon as his M.Sc result was available in April 2014, he joined the service of Oduduwa University as Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication in the month of May, 2014.

Dr. Awofadeju started his PhD in Mass Communication at Babcock University in August 2014 and finished it in August 2020. Though he ought to finish his programme within maximum of four years, but his mode of study was remedial/elongated, he also deferred his programme by a year. This elongated his programme. 

During this programme (PhD), he had moved from Oduduwa University to Achievers University in May 2018 as Lecturer II. He reapplied and was re-appointed as lecturer I in November 2019 and was promoted to Senior lecturer in April 2021.

At the same time that he was promoted to Senior lecturer, he was appointed as Senior lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State. There he works till date.

Dr. Awofadeju is presently due for promotion to Reader, but patiently waiting for the promotion exercise to commence.

He is a member of Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).

Dr. Awofadeju is a national adviser to National body of Mass Communication NUMACS since year 2023 to date.

Dr. Awofadeju has worked as Visiting lecturer in many universities like Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State. Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun State and Osun State University, Ikire Campus, Osun State.

Dr. Awofadeju has more than sixty publications to his credit and has supervised and graduated five M.Sc students. He currently teaches and supervised M.Sc and PhD students.

Dr. Awofadeju has two role models, namely Professor Alawode Sunday Yinka and Professor Ajilore Kolade. Professor Alawode Sunday Yinka is presently the Dean, School of Communication, Lagos State University (LASU). He was Dr. Awofadeju’s thesis supervisor during his M.Sc. He was enrolled as his role model due to his love and fatherly mentor throughout his stay in LASU and after.

While Professor Ajilore Kolade is a Professor in the Department of Mass Communication, Babcock University who God used to help him to complete his programme. He is a brilliant Professor, man of pure heart, he desires success of his students and everyone around him. Dr. Awofadeju said, when he was having difficulty with sampling techniques to use for his thesis, God used Professor Ajilore to put him through and when copies of his thesis were to be signed so as to proceed for External Examination, it was Professor Ajilore that God used for him.

Dr Awofadeju faced some challenges in his career, he claimed that majority of his challenges in his career came from envy from his colleagues, they sometimes used students to set him up. But he gives glory to Almighty God for always saving him and put the enemies to shame. 

Dr Peter Awofadeju’s advice to students who wish to pursue their career just like he achieved his aim and objective is to keep the fire of hope burning and never to give up their dreams regardless of the situation you’re in, and above all, involve God in your day to day activities and his unending grace shall surely be upon you