IN recognition of his immense contribution to the development of the African continent, the vice chancellor of Technical University, Ibadan, Professor Ayobami Salami, has been awarded the Pan-African Excellence in Leadership Prize.
The award was the second one that the Tech-U VC received in one week, having earlier been honoured alongside the chancellor of the university, Chief Tunde Afolabi, as distinguished citizen and role model by the Oyo State Model Education System Intervention (OYOMESI) for their contribution to the development of education in the state.
The prize was awarded last Tuesday by the Initiative for Positive Influence on African Youths, a continental youth organisation headquartered in Uganda.
IPIAY said that Professor Salami is awarded the prize for his iconic contributions to societal and human capital development and for having distinguished himself as a successful administrator, revered scholar and a passionate mentor to African youths.
In his address at the conferment ceremony, the Ivorian vice chairman of the association, Ambassador Kwasi Akin, said Salami emerged through a rigorous procedure that involved series of multi-layered screening among the diverse members of the organisation.
“We want to say that without fear or favour or contradiction, Professor Salami has been found worthy to receive the Pan-African Prize for Excellence in Leadership, in acknowledgement of his immense contributions to nation-building, community development, effective service delivery to the continent, remarkable patriotism, selfless and dedicated service to God, humanity, country and Africa,” Ambassador Akin said.
While responding to the honour done on him, Professor Salami expressed shock at his emergence.
“I am speechless, but encouraged,” he said. He then commended the organisers for their integrity and thoughtfulness, noting that they had demonstrated that all hope is not lost for the African continent.
He noted: “Yours is a shining example that with genuine initiatives, African youths can be galvanised, mentored and redirected towards positive societal engineering.”
Professor Salami is a globally recognized environmental scientist with an illustrious career spanning several countries within and outside Africa.
A former deputy vice chancellor (Academics) at Obafemi Awolowo University, was appointed the pioneer vice chancellor of The Technical University in May, 2017.
