The lecture, titled, " Solar Energy, A Friendly Renewable Energy Option for Nigeria" will be delivered by a Solar Energy expert, Professor Elisha Bamidele Babatunde, on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at the University Chapel by 3 pm. Professor Babatunde is currently the Chair, College of Science and Technology Journal Committee, Covenant University.

He is a member of a number of academic and professional associations, including the Nigerian Metrological Society, the Solar Energy of Nigeria, the Institute of Physics and the African Union of Physics.

Professor Babatunde’s research interests are in Solar Radiation Measurement, Solar Energy Applications, Qualitative Description of Ozone Vibration employing short wave radiation absorption, Solar Passive Drying and Solar Wood Drying.

The lecture will be chaired by Dr David Oyedepo, Chancellor of Covenant.

Citation on Professor Elisha Bamidele Babatunde

Professor Elisha Bamidele Babatunde was born in Iwo, Isin Local Government area of Kwara State on March 30, 1938. His parents were Pa Luke Babatunde Abioye and Madam Deborah Babatunde Abioye both from Iwo.

He was one of those gathered together by the Church, SIM Church at Iwo, to start the SIM nursery and primary school in Iwo in 1944. He did not finish his primary education but got promoted to secondary education in 1953, when he gained admission into Titcombe College Egbe, Kogi State from SIM central school Igbaja in 1953. Six years of secondary education was run then, hence he finished his secondary school education in 1958 and made a second division in his WASC examination.

Professor Babatunde had a smooth education career as he went straight to the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST) Zaria, nine months later, in October 1959. This (NCAST) was one of the most prestigious highest institutions in Nigeria those days as there were only 3 of them. The others were in Ibadan, and Enugu.

He made 2 papers at A- level in physics and applied mathematics in 1961 and gained admission into University College of Ibadan in 1961 to read B.Sc (Gn.Hon. of London University) in physics and mathematics on the Northern Nigeria Scholarship. He graduated in June 1964 with B.Sc (Gn.Hon.) in physics and mathematics.
Other tertiary institutions attended for one short course or the other are as follows:

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria 1965 – 1966
Wesleyan University, Middletown Conn., USA
(Advance Course in Physics) 1968 – 1969
University of Ife (OAU), Ile-Ife 1976 – 1978
University of Ilorin, Ilorin 1982 – 1989
College on Soil Physics, at International Centre
Theoretical Physics, Ttieste, Italy (ICTP) 1983
Centre Audio-Visuel de Mordernes for French Language Learning, Vichy, France 1984
University de Perpigan, France (for Solar Energy Course) 1985
ECWA Theological Seminary Igbaja (Extension Course) 1995 – 1997

His working experience started with primary school teaching for 9 months in 1959 during the transition period, from secondary school to advance school.
Professor Babatunde is a seasoned teacher. He has been teaching all his life. In fact, he has taught in all the tiers of education in this country from elementary school to University.
He taught in Secondary schools, Titcombe College and Dekina Secondary School, 1964 – 1965
in Advance Teachers College Zaria, 1966 – 1972
in Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin, 1972 – 1991
in University of Ilorin, Ilorin. 1991 – 2004
He is currently teaching here in Covenant University, 2004 to date.

During these periods he held several positions of authority.
He was HOD of Physics in ATC Zaria, 1969 – 1972
HOD of Physics in Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin, 1980 – 1982
Ag. HOD, Physics Department University of Ilorin in 2002 and 2003 briefly. He was a member of the Governing Council and member of the Senior Staff Establishment Committee of the council – Kwara State Polytechnic 1980 – 1982.

He rose from the post of Lecturer 1 in 1972 to Chief Lecturer in 1980 in Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin, from Lecturer 1 in 1991 to Senior Lecturer in 1995 and to Professor in 2004 in University of Ilorin.

As part of his services to the community in his career, he has being an External Examiner to some institutions such as Benue College of Technology Ida, College of Education Oyo and currently to the Department of Physics, LAUTECH, Ogbomosho.
He was the coordinator of the science programme of the sandwich course of University of Ilorin and Chairman of the Education Committee, Iwo Comprehensive High School.
He is a very active Church member in ECWA Mission. He has a Diploma in Church Ministries (DCM) of ECWA and had been a member of the highest Council of ECWA, General Church Council (GCC).

He has published many papers jointly and singly on Solar / Atmospheric radiations, some of which are in International and National Journals.

He is happily married to Florence Oladunni Asabi, a very beautiful woman, both inside and outside, very caring and loving. They have six children and seven grand children. Some of whom are here.