The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka, has revealed how the Late Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, recommended him, in 2015, to occupy the top seat at the Premier University.
He also revealed that Professor Akinkugbe donated his library to the institution.
OYOINSIGHT.COM had earlier reported that Professor Akinkugbe, a former Vice-Chancellor of Univesity of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, and Ahmadu Bello University, died in June.
“I was a candidate for the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan in 2015. I was advised to contact Emeritus Professor Akinkugbe to give me a reference letter. I was hitherto aware that he had performed the same role for at least three former Vice-Chancellors of the University of Ibadan at one time or the other in the past. I booked an appointment to see him at home one Thursday morning in March 2015 to lay my humble request before him. He accepted to do the recommendation instantly. We had a very friendly and robust discussion lasting nearly two hours. He told me that he was highly impressed about my pedigree, especially during my five year tenure as the Head of the Department of Geology, two-term stint as Dean of the Postgraduate School, and two-term tenure as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). He had apparently been following my career closely without my knowledge. He claimed, perhaps not without justification, that only very few academics within the Nigerian University System were more experienced than my humble self. I felt very proud of this ringing endorsement.
“He told me further that in the interest of justice and fairness it would be nice for someone from the Faculty of Science of the University to be given a chance to serve at the level of the Vice-Chancellor,” Professor Olayinka said in a glowing tribute to mark the exit of the African scholar.
He also stated that Professor Akinkugbe gave the Premier University his treasures, talents and time.
Speaking on how the late Akinkugbe gave UI his library, he wrote: “Professor Akinkugbe donated his library to the Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan, in February 2020. This today stands as the Akinkugbe Corner in the Postgraduate Reference Section of the library. The Corner is the first in the history of the University Library System that would be set aside for donated collections of one of the living legends of the University in his time. The corner houses the generous print donations of Prof. Akinkugbe.
“Some of the collections which are not related to Medicine donated by Prof. Akinkugbe are biographies, Elliot, Asquith and Ashby Commission Reports on Higher Education in Nigeria, Ibadan University Calendars from 1948, Philosophy, Economics, Political Science and Sociology. Others include Religions, Travel, Gardening, Essential Fiction and Contemporary Titles as well as Reference Works. He also donated a bronze statue of Hippocrates (469-399BC).
“The collection which Prof. Akinkugbe donated is what professional Librarians will tag rare or prized books consisting of a potpourri of ancient and modern, medical and non-medical books which Baba had acquired over several decades. Speaking at that event, Prof. Akinkugbe recalled that his association with the UI dated back to 1951 when he was admitted as first-year undergraduate of the University College, then in special relationship with the University of London, stressing that the only way to appreciate the university was to give back to the university that made him. He disclosed that he was under immense pressure from other universities to donate the collection to them, saying this ceremony is a consummation of my preference for the University of Ibadan.”
He also revealed that Akinkugbe, who he described as a lover of tradition, was very fond of his alma, Government College, Ibadan.
“We commiserate with Professor Folasade Akinkugbe, Professor Akinkugbes wife of 55 years, their lovely children, grandchildren, the entire Akinkugbe Family over the irreparable He would remain for ever in our hearts. While alive, he gave of his treasures, time and talents to the University of Ibadan. we wish Prof O. O. Akinkugbe eternal rest,” the Vice-Chancellor added.
