The University of Ibadan (UI), has decorated four former Vice Chancellors of the institution, Professor Omoniyi O. Adewoye, Professor Emeritus Ayodele O. Falase, Professor Emeritus Olufemi A. Bamiro, and Professor Abel I. Olayinka, and Dr. Olusegun Akinsete Akinlolu, a Nigerian-born songwriter, music composer and band leader, as UI @ 75 Ambassadors.
Professors Adewoye, Falase, Bamiro and Olayinka
While Adewoye and Falase were VCs between 1996-2000, and 2000-2005, respectively, Bamiro, and Olayinka, were VCs between 2005-2010, and 2015-2020, respectively.
Beautiful Nubia
Also decorated are Chief Mojisola O. Ladipo, and Mrs. Omotayo O. Ikotun, who are registrar between 1997-2006, and 2007-2011, respectively.
Equally decorated are Mr. Phillip O. Omoregie, and Alhaji Jimoh A. Bankole, who are bursar between 1988-1994, and 1999-2009, respectively.
The former Registrars and Bursars
Beautiful Nubia added glamour to the ceremony with his Afro folklore music.
Speaking at the occasion, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, stated that the nation’s Premier University from a humble beginning in 1948 has grown in size and quality to become a global brand and a force to reckon with, stressing, “the reputation is not random, it is the outcome of the determination to maintain and build upon the tradition of excellence bequeathed by the Founding fathers, which successive administrations strove to uphold.”
Adebowale said the selected principal officers have sacrificed immensely to preserve the institution’s patrimony and put it on the global map.
According to him, their respective tenures were not smooth sailing all through, they faced challenges, persecution and some were threatened even by the people they chose to serve, yet they were undaunted in their commitment to the UI project.
He said it was thus important for the institution to use the celebration of its 75th Anniversary to show appreciation for all they had done and all they stand for.
In his speech, the Chairman of the UI@75 Anniversary Committee, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Professor Peter O. Olapegba, stated that the greatness of the institution is neither in the tower nor in the physical structures, rather it is in the selfless service, commitment and foresight of the forebears, great men and women who over the years served the University in different capacities as Principal Officers.
He said one interesting thing about the lives of the former Principal Officers is that even after leaving office, they continued to serve the University in individual capacities, using their networks to attract benefactions, recognitions and laurels to the University which they loved and served.
Professor Olapegba then reiterated the objectives of the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the University. He listed the six projects which the University is interested in, the scaling up of the Endowment Fund, more vigorous pursuit of research and innovation for national development, upgrade of infrastructure, provision of alternative energy, students scholarships, and staff development.
He appealed to the honourees to help mobilise support from among their networks, friends and associates to buy into the priority projects for the glory of UI.
While responding on behalf of all the honourees, Professor Falase said they were all proud to be Ambassadors of the University, adding that UI has a checkered history, but it is a well focused University that has survived all turbulence and produced generations of students who have been and are still leaders of thought, economy and industry not only in Nigeria but globally.
He said they are all proud to be associated with UI which made them great in spite of the storms – strike actions, cultism, policy changes, paucity of funds, etc.
Falase recalled that UI ‘birthed’ the University of Ilorin and the University of Jos and has consistently provided the manpower for all universities in Nigeria.
