The Soft Issue
Profile
August 2017
Kehinde KadirI
has ARRIVED
By: Notiki Bello
D
Dr. Kadiri is an
alumni of the
University of Lagos.
She also holds a
masters degree
from the University
of Ghana, Legon
and a PhD from
the Universiti
Uttara, Malaysia
r. Kehinde Kadiri has found peace within herself. But
there is no barrier between her past and her present.
What lies between those two is a translucent film
from which she can easily view events as they had
happened: Each time she casts her mind back to her past she
is in a sort of limbo. So, she takes a hard look at herself again
and sighs.
“I started with this department. I didn’t go out searching for
job.”
She had lost a year during her undergraduate days. The
incident that resulted in her loss of one academic year, as
much as it traumatised her, would also become a driving force
for her. She was not guilty. There was no evidence against her.
But she got sanctioned (for examination misconduct, instead).
Dr. Kadiri now lectures at the Department of Mass
Communication, University of Ilorin. During her time at the
University of Lagos she had developed a revulsion for the
lecturing job. But when the opportunity to lecture came later
in her life, it was like an assault on her. No one would have
thought this was her earlier stance, because by the time she
started lecturing it was as if it were exactly what she had
wanted.
“When I was in school we would go to these organisations, ad
agencies and PR organisations, for assignments. I really liked
the environment so I looked forward to working there after
school.”
She had served at the department during her NYSC year.
Immediately the year elapsed, she was offered the chance to
stay. She took the job, hoping that in a few years she would
leave. Ten years and counting, she is still there because of
the personal grow th the department has afforded her. The
moment she took the job; she swore never to victimise her
students. As she recalls this, she unconsciously raises her
index finger upwards, as if to reiterate the vow.
“In less than six months after getting the job I was leaving for
my masters. The day I got my admission letter I went to meet
the head of department, Mr. Doyin Mahmoud (late). He told
me he just got a memo which directed that any academic
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She has conducted
several humanitarian
services in 2017.
She is presently
the research
at The Health
Builders Iniative,
a photography
collective turened
NGO.
the
LENS