Friends and well-wishers on Thursday, February 16, 2023, took to social media to celebrate the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI) as he clocks 65.
Olayinka, who is a professor of Geology in the nation’s Premier University was eulogized by the well wishers, who described him as icon and a friend to all as he is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Some of his well-wishers have these to say:
Professor Ayobam Kehinde (Immediate past Head of Department, English): Happy birthday, Sir ; many happy returns of the day. Long life, prosperity, peace, joy, divine wisdom and accelerated successes. Enjoy your day and stay blessed.
Professor Olatunj Oyeshile (Dean, Faculty of Arts): Happy birthday sir. Wishing you good health and happiness. Congratulations sir. Happy birthday to the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of our great University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, FAS.
Professor Benjamin Olley from Psychology: Happy birthday to my benefactor, a man of amiable and sound character. Long life and prosperity. May you continue to shine and your star not set in Jesus Christ name. Amen.
Segun Ajiboye (The Registrar of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN): Another milestone! Hearty congratulations on your 65th birthday anniversary, our dear Vice-Chancellor Emeritus, University of Ibadan. Wishing you God’s abundant blessings in your new age. Igba odun, odun kan ni o. Congratulations!
Adewale Alonge: Professor Idowu Olayinka. Congratulations to you on reaching the milestone of 65. When we look back and realize how many of our contemporaries with whom we started this journey are no more here, we have no choice but to give glory and honour to God for the gift and special grace of being alive to reach the milestone. So we give thanks to God for you and your life of purpose, higher service, uncommon grace and accomplishments. Even then, the Lord is not done yet as he has higher callings and purposes for your life. Enjoy and celebrate! Congratulations.
Sunday Saanu: In life, many people go about in big selves, but when you scratch them, you find them empty. Men of substance are not necessarily those dressed in gold, but men of simple lifestyles; interestingly, when you scratch them, you find that they are made with pure gold. Perhaps this is the best way to capture the essence of this one-time Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Abel Idowu Olayinka who is a year older today. Those who are familiar with Prof. Olayinka will attest to the fact that he is a gentleman with a simple lifestyle, disliking attracting attention to himself; still, he remains a man of substance with cerebral endowments which startle everyone. Can we celebrate this enigma by wishing him many more years in the land of the living? May your days be long in peace and prosperity Sir. You are simply amazing!
Seun Oni: Prof at 65: Immediately I joined O.A.U. in 1991, Ibadan became my playground and, I would shuttle between my eldest brother’s house and Prof’s. On this particular day, I had packed my bag and was heading back to school. As I made for the door, Prof beckoned to me and remarked: “Since you will not be attending the Ilegrams Old Students meeting which I am hosting later today, you may take a drink from the refrigerator, after all, no one knows what you are doing in school”. I quickly dropped my bag, ‘downed’ a bottle of Star lager, and continued with my journey to Ile-Ife. Fast forward to 2016. We had just lost our mother in Lagos, and, were planning the burial for Lagos within two weeks. Prof was out of the country during this period. Immediately he arrived in the country, I received his call: “Seun, I understand you guys are planning to bury your mom in Lagos” He then asked, “where did she spend most of her years, how many people knew her in Lagos?” These two ‘simple’ questions changed our plans! Meanwhile, as the leader of the family, he could have dished out orders that no one would have challenged, however, he decided to act otherwise. It was when we enrolled my first child in a Montessori school that I began to have a better understanding of Prof’s leadership style. In the Montessori system, children are allowed to make their choices while learning; they are never controlled. Beyond his humility, hard work and integrity, to mention but a few of his values, Prof’s leadership style is outstanding – little wonder, then, that he was able to run the affairs of the foremost University in Nigeria without any blemish. Prof is 65 today, and, we are glad and proud to have him as our leader, father and confidant. May God bless you with long life, and may He continue to give you reasons to celebrate. Happy birthday, Sir.
Folasade Akinola Adeboyejo: Myself and some colleagues were without salary for some months when we newly joined the services of the University of Ibadan. The then Vice Chancellor, Prof Idowu Olayinka was on the WhatsApp platform for academic staff, so I saved his number and started sending him a series of messages in his DM, asking questions and seeking to know when we should expect to be paid, abi I should go back to my previous job ni
…(time yen terrible gan
). The highly revered Prof replied to my barrage of queries with so much courtesy and patience, asking for understanding and assuring me that the matter will be resolved very soon. That is rare in our system oo……When we were eventually paid, he took the time to message me to ask if I received the gbemu and jokingly asked for his share
. At another time, I urgently needed a reference letter in 24 hours, but we were on strike then and no one would write for me…. I called the VC oo(
) and he asked me to come for it at 8 am the next day. He brought it. That application was successful and it is the biggest leap in my career yet 
. At another time after his tenure o, I needed another application endorsed by VC. It was a Sunday afternoon. The deadline for submission was Sunday midnight. I came after church and stood in front of the VC office expecting a miracle. I then remembered that shebi I now know the former VC, I called, he helped call the current VC, the application was endorsed and it came back successful. Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka is a father and a mentor, an unassuming, humble and kind academic who has excelled in all spheres. As you add another year today sir, I pray the Lord will yet lift you and bless you in all ways. You will finish well and strong. Thank you for all you do sir. Today is a milestone in your life, sir, and this is wishing you the very best. We pray that you shall celebrate many more years in sound health. Congratulations, sir. Many happy returns of the day.
