Idowu Olayinka, immediate past vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, UI, yesterday bagged ‘Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland’ award.
At the event organized by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, to make the Ibadan Week 2021, the geology professor was awarded “in recognition of his humble achievements in taking UI to be number 1 in Nigeria and West Africa, number 7 in Africa and in the 401-500 category in the 2021 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.”
The Ijesa-born lecturer would later appreciate the organizers on his personal Facebook account.
Honorary award from the good people of Ibadan: Our debt of gratitude
I wish to place on record and thank most profusely His Imperial Majesty the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (Aje Ogungunniso the First) and the Central Council of Ibadan Indihgenes (CCII) for conferring on me “The Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland Award” earlier today, 10th April 2021 at an impressive ceremony held at the iconic Liberty Stadium.
According to the President-Gener
Early contact with Ibadan
My first recollection of the sprawling Ibadan metropolis was in June 1963 when I was asked to accompany my maternal grandmother (Iya) Madam Rebecca Obidahunsi Oni who decided to embark on a trip from my ancestral home at Odo Ijesa, in present day Osun State, to Ibadan in order to baby sit for my Aunt, Mrs Janet Ibilola Oni who had just been delivered of her first baby, Temitayo. I was yet to start schooling then so coming to Ibadan was most convenient for my parents and I. My aunt, Uncle Michael Oni and his young family were resident at Agbeni, a stone throw from the famous Methodist Cathedral. My Uncle, His Grace The Most Rev’d Timothy Akinnigbagbe was to much later on serve as the Presiding Bishop of the Agbeni Methodist Cathedral.
My next visit to Ibadan was in October 1968. I was then a Primary Five pupil of Saint Bartholomew’s Anglican Primary School Odo Ijesa and a member of the unique and famous “Labau” Cultural troupe to WNTV/WNBS, Ibadan, under the leadership of our highly revered Headmaster Mr (and later Oba) Zaccheus Adebiyi Oni. The trip lasted just three days.
I was back in Ibadan from Ilesa on Christmas day 1968 on vacation. A large group of us members of the same family, totalling seven ably led by my elder Sister, Alice, were at Agbeni with our big uncle. We visited many places of interest including Cocoa House, Kingsway Stores, Bower Tower and the University of Ibadan campus. This was during the unfortunate Nigerian civil war. We were in Ibadan for about two weeks and then returned to our homestead to start preparing for a new school year, while my Sister and leader of delegation left for Ado-Ekiti to commence her training at Ile Abiye Hospital for her training in Nursing and Midwifery.
Higher Education at Ibadan
I started my post-secondary education at The Polytechnic Ibadan in October 1976. The following year, I was admitted to the University of Ibadan for my degree programme which I undertook from 1977 to 1981.
After the mandatory national service in the old Rivers State and postgraduate studies in London and Birmingham, United Kingdom, I returned to my alma mata, to commence what has turned out to be an illustrious career in teaching, research and community service, as well as raising a family.
Employment and service years
Ibadan has been home to me for the past 33 years as a lecturer and subsequently Professor at the University of Ibadan. In all these, to God be the glory for good health, and an enabling environment provided by the Department, Faculty, University and the immediate Ibadan community.
It is gratifying to acknowledge with gratitude that many notable and eminent Ibadan sons and great benefactors of our institution have adopted me as their son. I am very proud to call them my father. These include but not necessarily limited to the late Parakoyi of Ibadanland, Baba, Chief (Sir) Bode Akindele, D.Lit (Ibadan, honoris causa) of blessed memory; the Asiwaju of Ibadanland, Baba, Chief Bode Amao, D.Lit (Ibadan, honoris causa), Baba, Chief Kola Daisi, CON, LL.D (Ibadan, honoris causa), and Chief Bayo Oyero (current Member, Board of Governors, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan).
On the political level, we remain eternally grateful to the immediate past Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi of blessed memory and the incumbent His Excellency Engineer Oluseyi Makinde for always supporting the University of Ibadan which they are very proud of being a great asset to Ibadan as the intellectual capital of Nigeria.
It certainly feels good to be recognised as an Honorary Citizen of Ibadanland, the host community of our great institution. We shall continue to make our humble contributions to the peace, progress, growth and development of this most hospitable city of Ibadan.
This award is deservedly dedicated to all the stakeholders in the University of Ibadan project- the Federal Government as our proprietor, staff, students, alumni and friends of the premier university.
To the most high God alone be the honour, glory and adoration.
Idowu Olayinka
University of Ibadan
Ibadan
Saturday, 10th April 2021
