Members of the University of Ibadan (UI) and Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), associates, families and friends gathered between 4pm and 6pm, on Friday, May 3, 2024, at the Trenchard Hall of Nigeria’s Premier University to attend a birthday concert titled, “Ma Gbagbe Ile” (Do not forget your heritage), in honour of Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, widely known as Professor Ayo Banjo, for his 90th birthday. His son, Tunde Banjo, represented the celebrant who could not be in attendance. After the concert, organised by The Ibadan Philharmonic Society (TIPS) in conjunction with the University of Ibadan, guests were treated to a cocktail party.
Prof Solomon Oluwole Oyetade and Tunde Banjo
In attendance were three past vice-chancellors of the institution: Professors Olufemi Bamiro, Isaac Adewole, who served as a Minister of Health under the civilian administration of General Muhammadu Buhari, and Abel Idowu Olayinka. Also in attendance were Professor Ayo Bamgbose, Pastor (Dr) Olubi Johnson, the President of Christ Life Ministries, Mr Gbenro Adegbola, CEO, First Veritas, a publishing firm, and his wife, Mrs Funsho Adegbola, Founder/CEO of The Vale College, Dr Kolade Mosuro, Managing Director, Booksellers Limited, Ibadan, Dr Tony Marinho, Founder of St Gregory’s Specialist Clinic, Ibadan, and first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Folake Solanke.
The TIPS Choir entertained the guests with “Ma Gbagbe” Ile and 25 other songs composed by Iporo-Ake, Abeokuta-born Godwin Adedayo Dedeke. Dedeke, who was born on December 2, 1921 to Sir Deji G. Dedeke and Janet Olamiotan Dedeke died on May 18, 1994. His last public function was as Music Director at the Ogun State House Christmas Carol Service in Abeokuta in December 1993.
Songs that were composed by other composers include “Ote Nkwu” by Las Ekweme, “Laadugbo” by Bidemi Oyesanya and “Rivers Medley” arranged by Ubong David.
Though the event was an evening of music, few speeches were delivered. In his welcome address, TIPS Vice Chairman, Professor Akin Iwayemi explained that since beautiful renditions are rare in Ibadan the group decided to organise one in favour of Banjo. He noted that the Yoruba songs chosen for the occasion were meant to lift the souls and spirits.
ACU Students
In his speech, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Solomon Oluwole Oyetade, who described the celebrant as his academic grandfather and a living legend said that the best time to celebrate Banjo is when he is alive, not after his death. According to him, the celebration is a recognition of the pivotal role Banjo played as the longest-serving UI VC. He said that UI had a new lease of life when Banjo was the VC, stressing that he managed excellently the crisis that erupted during his tenure as VC.
According to him, Banjo is an epitome of excellence, and a man to emulate his conduct, adding that Banjo would solve any problem shared with him. Oyetade warned against wrongdoings, advising the attendees to be conscious of what they do because of the day of reckoning.
In his message titled, “Ayo Banjo at 90: A Note of Gratitude”, UI Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale pointed out, “No tribute can be complete; no eulogy can be sufficient for Banjo who has lived, served, and led with uncommon excellence than to offer only a note of gratitude”.
From Right, Prof Akin Iwayem, Chief Folake Solanke, Prof Ayo Bamgbose and Others
Adebowale said, “Ninety years represents a significant milestone in human lifespan, a testament to resilience, adaptability and accumulation of wisdom and experience. Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, you have served as living repositories of cultural memories, passing down traditions, values, and events that shape collective identities. You have witnessed the ebb and flow of history, navigated personal challenges, and emerged as beacons of knowledge and resilience, enriching the tapestry of human society. You are a gift to humanity and more importantly to your immediate contact – The University of Ibadan. The University of Ibadan, past and present, is grateful and proud to be called the home of Professor Ayo Banjo for several reasons.
“First and foremost, we say thank you for choosing UI. Fifty-eight years ago, Mr Ayo Banjo, armed with enough qualifications and experience to work in any university in the world, chose the University of Ibadan. With a Master’s Degree from the University of Glasgow, and a postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Leeds, Mr Banjo had the entire English-speaking academic world at his feet. Yet, he chose the University of Ibadan which was only 18 years old at that time. If we knew who persuaded you to choose us, we would offer them immense thanks. Was it the decision of your mother, Mama Alice Banjo; or the presence of your academic twin brother, Professor Ayo Bamgbose, or the presence of your biological brother whom you unfailingly visited every Sunday afternoon for more than 50 years, or the literary, ideological and academic ferment headquartered in UI at that time, or did the University of Ibadan simply got lucky? Whatever or whoever it was, we are thankful as products and beneficiaries of that choice. We are thankful because since you made that decision, your love for the University has not waned – even to this day.
Adedayo Dedeke’s Children Receiving Posthumous Award from Pastor Olubi Johnson on Behalf of their Father
“Secondly, we thank you for leading UI. From 1966 to 1983, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo served as Lecturer and Professor. He was Acting Head of Department (1971 -1973), Dean, Faculty of Arts (1977-1979), Head, Department of English (1980 – 1981), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (1981 – 1983), Acting Vice Chancellor (1983 – 1984), and Vice Chancellor (1984 -1991). He headed many Senate, Council and other committees. He taught, he led, he disciplined and he rewarded – all in strict compliance with the rules. Many remember him for being the longest-serving Vice Chancellor in the 75–year history of the University, and that is true. What many may not remember was that his tenure witnessed one of the worst internal crises in our history. With direct manipulation by external forces and interests in high places, a matter that never bothered the University community became the cause of division, disagreement, tension, and threat of open violence. The Premier University was about to boil; our national academic heritage was going down in ruins. The Minister of Education took a stand; the University of Ibadan under Prof Banjo’s leadership took another stand. University Autonomy was on trial. Professor Banjo made it clear that he would rather resign his position as Vice Chancellor than compromise the autonomy of the University. He insisted that no matter how difficult the problem was, the University of Ibadan had enough intellectual and other resources to solve its problem by itself even when that problem was instigated by outsiders. With courage and wisdom, Prof Banjo’s administration resolved the matter to the satisfaction of all parties. The world learnt, for a while, to leave UI alone.
“Third, we thank you for promoting the University of Ibadan. Ayo Banjo is a household name in Nigeria – the Oxford English textbook series starting from the 1960s set the pace in decolonising English Language instruction in not just Nigeria but all of West Africa. Beyond this, his pioneering scholarship in contrastive linguistics, language policy, and stylistics in the Nigerian context, as well as his towering influence on teaching English as second language in West Africa carried with it the name of the University. Besides this, his stints as a visiting professor in many first-rate universities across the world rubbed off strongly and positively on the image of our university. From West Indies in 1980, to Cambridge England in 1993, Norway in 1994, Botswana, Swaziland, Sierra Leone, among others, he carried with him the banner of UI unfurled. His leadership at the Nigeria Academy of Letters where he was President and Fellow, and his service at other national and international forums have continued to bring honour to the University of Ibadan. For this, we are grateful.
Fourth, we thank you for setting for us an example to follow. Professor Banjo is an example of the rare combination of scholarly fame and humility. The day he completed his term as Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Banjo reported to his department for duty. The Head of Department, a world-renowned poet, Prof Niyi Osundare, was caught unawares and temporarily dumbfounded. Here was his former teacher and Vice-Chancellor up until a few minutes ago, knocking on his door to report for duty. When a great poet such as Osundare of Village Voices cannot find his words, the matter indeed calls for both tension and attention. Baba Banjo was quoted as saying: “Niyi you are now my boss; I take orders from you.” Poor Prof Osundare managed to persuade him to at least take the day off to rest. Such was Prof Banjo’s humility, love for the classroom, and thirst for knowledge. When in 1994 Prof Banjo retired, he had the option of staying on because the Federal Government had just extended the retirement age of academics to sixty-five. However, he chose to leave. When the idea of taking up a contract appointment was mooted so that he could continue to earn a salary, he declined categorically. When he was offered the position of Emeritus Professor, a position that attracts no salary at all, he accepted. He once remark: “money is important, but it must never be the reason for the decisions we take”.
“As I conclude, I like to solemnly say this. In 2019, the management of the University of Ibadan named the Vice Chancellor’s Lodge in your honour as Ayo Banjo Manor. It was our way of saying thank you, Baba, for choosing UI, for leading UI, for promoting UI, and for setting us an example to emulate. However, we will do something far much bigger than that in your honour, and that is, we will strive to emulate your conduct and preserve your legacy. In our view, that is, the best way we can say ‘thank you’. We celebrate an academic colossus, a world-renowned English Language consultant, an international university scholar, an innovator, a foresighted and thoroughbred manager of men and resources, a professor of professors, a distinguished and successful former Vice Chancellor and a lover of his people, a highly cerebral, likeable, humble, friendly, unassuming, and compassionate gentleman.”
