The end of one’s life hugely depends on the legacy, growth, and development an individual has attained and laid down throughout a lifetime. The attribute of laying a good foundation has made AASA what it is today and continued to make it shine amongst other disciplines both at home and abroad.
This great leadership skill has been reflected in how the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology has developed over the last 50 years right from its inception in 1971.
An individual at 50 has been through series of experiences life can only offer. Experience money cannot buy but one that is felt overtime at every stage in one’s life. The idea of establishing the department didn’t occur overnight it was an experiment that has today yielded good fruit. We cannot but give kudos to the founding mother and fathers who saw it fit to establish what has today become a pride to the University and the nation at large. In the last 50 years, the department has gone through several changes from its first establishment in 1963 when Professor Thurstan Shaw, was appointed as a research professor in the Archaeology Unit at the Institute of African Studies written records show that upon its establishment in 1971, the department had 15 staff members and its first set of Archaeology students were admitted in October 1971.
In line with its founding many programs like the Palynology Unit by Professor Adebisi Sowunmi, and Courses in Cultural Anthropology by Late Professor Bassey Andah were established. More recently, Postgraduate studies were also introduced in the department to foster learning and research. Current academic staff members like Professor Raphael Alabi, Professor Caleb Foloruso, Professor Phillip Oyelaran, Professor Olatunde Lawuyi, Professor David Aremu, Professor Samuel Ogundele, Professor Jonathan Aleru, Professor Aderemi Ajala, Dr. Francesca Ukpokolo, Dr. Olusegun Opadeji, Dr. Babajide Ololajulo, Dr. Emuobosa Orijemie, Dr. Kolawole Adekola, and Mr. Michael Akinsete who specialize in various areas in the discipline of archaeology and anthropology also continue to inspire us and will continue to inspire generations to come for their contribution in the discipline.
We are proud and are in debt to those who have walked this path and have worked tirelessly in the success and growth of an idea that started 50 years. We all have benefited from their selfless service and contribution to imparting knowledge and as such we can only hope that we may forever be ambassadors of AASA and that our words truly remain our bond. We hope we stay committed to the statement and course and strive to even achieve future successes. This wouldn’t be achieved or given on a platter of silver but this can be our reality in later years if we all lay down a good legacy, change the narrative, maintain and improve the status quo just as those who started did. Happy Golden Jubilee from us all at AASA PRESS
AASA PRESS UI 