As a young academic at Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2005, I watched with growing interest as the Department of English prepared to receive a renowned visitor. It was Professor ‘Molara Ogundipe and there was so much excitement in the air.
Samson Dare, then Head of the Department of English, spoke so glowingly about her that I could not help but feel caught up in the excitement. Breezing into the department on that day in 2005 wearing black casual trousers and a flowery top, Ogundipe was brimming with confidence, vivaciousness and vitality. She could not be ignored for a second! Accompanied by her mentees, she politely enquired about the developments in the department, proceeding on an immediate tour of departmental facilities and the Faculty of Arts.