Gbenro Adesina
On Saturday, October 2, 2021, all roads led to the First Bank Hall, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan (UI), venue of the 2021 Reunion of the UI Man O’ War Statesmen Council.
The event brought together members of UI Man O’ War Club from its inception in 1983, who have graduated from the institution and are referred to as Statesmen.
Many of the statesmen, who have not seen in the past 30 years, could not hide their joy as they reunited.
The height of the occasion was the Public Lecture delivered by Agba-Oye Lekan Alabi, titled, “Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects”.
Oloye Alabi went down memory lane, tracing the history of Nigeria to how independence was won in 1960 and the roles of the nationalists of the time, including, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo among others.
He analysed the challenges facing the country, highlighting the faults of both the leadership and followership in the country.
Noting that there is prospect for the country, he noted that he does not advocate bloody revolution or war, but the solution to the country’s problem is dialogue. He called for the leaders to be sincere in identifying the differences among the various tribes that make up the country and see how these could be harnessed towards moving the country forward.
At the reunion programme, officers were elected to steer the affairs of the Council for the next two years, with Professor Niyi Okunlola of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) emerging as the President.
Also, Professor Niyi Gbadegeshin of the Department of Geography from UI, former Vice Chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), was elevated from the position of Staff Adviser of the Club to Patron.
Statesmen in attendance at the event include: the Founder of UI Man O’ War Club, Gbenga Awe, Diya Kehinde, Niyi Okunlola, Fatai Oyedeji, Wole Olatokun, Akintayo Akintola, Alaba Akinbote, Toki Abiodun, Ayo Omodehinde, Olumide Shobayo, Modupe Alalade, Lukman Pelewura, Francis Aderounmu, Olubukola Adesina, Raheem Usman, Kamil Oluranti, Adenike Balogun, Dapo Robinson, Jimoh Jubril Babatunde, Andrew Agbon, and several others.
Also in attendance was former Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, who is a Staff Adviser to the Club, Professor Andrew Fadoju.
Earlier, members of the council led by Lukman Pelewura had an early morning drill at the Base of the Club at the University of Ibadan.
