In a grand celebration at the University of Ilorin, the institution’s 14th Merit Awards Ceremony took a remarkable turn as Adeyinka Tella, from the Department of Library and Information Science, was bestowed with the title of “Researcher of the Year.”
To make the recognition even more memorable, the university presented him with a brand-new car for his outstanding contributions.
Tella, a faculty member in the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, has dedicated his research efforts to exploring the uncharted realms of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
His focus includes cutting-edge areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology, which are revolutionising various sectors worldwide.
One of his notable achievements, the Outstanding Paper Award from the Emerald Literacy Awards, was earned for his groundbreaking work on “Robots and Public Libraries.”
Published in the journal of the Library Hi Tech News, the article delves into the integration of robotic technology within libraries.
These robots now assist with shelving and re-shelving books, reducing the fatigue of library users and providing entertainment, among other functions.
Speaking about the potential impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on libraries, Tella expressed optimism that it could help combat Nigeria’s prevalent issue of poor reading culture.
By incorporating cutting-edge technology into library spaces, he believes it can reinvigorate the public’s interest in reading.
Tella’s journey to becoming the Researcher of the Year traces back to his days as a Commonwealth scholar during his PhD.
Since then, he has been a prolific writer, advocating for the integration of modern technology into both public and academic libraries.
The university’s 14th Merit Awards Ceremony also celebrated other exceptional individuals, including 18 recently retired professors from various departments.
Notable among the awardees were Jacob Gbadeyan from the Department of Mathematics, Michael Fakomogbon in Education Technology, and Esther Omosewo in Science Education.
As UNILORIN acknowledges and rewards excellence, Adeyinka Tella’s recognition stands out as a symbol of innovation and foresight, reflecting the university’s commitment to advancing knowledge and technology in an ever-evolving world.
