They came in droves, from far and wide. Men and women. Old and young. The not-so-old and the not-so-young. Academics. Royalties.
Clerics of both faiths. Legal luminaries. Diplomats. Politicians and political office holders. Proprietors of universities. Business leaders. Military and para-military brass hats.
They all converged on Ilorin on Wednesday and Thursday last week to honour a true man of honour, Professor Is’haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, on his retirement from the services of the University of Ilorin, having attained the mandatory professorial retirement age of 70.
Two programmes were put together to mark his platinum birthday by the University of Ilorin on one hand and the Consortium of Universities in Kwara State ( KU8+), on the other hand.
While the former honoured Professor Oloyede with the 8th University of Ilorin Lecture, a worthy compliment for the academic giant, the latter published a Festschrift and a compendium of moving tributes for this veritable man of letters.
For the University of Ilorin, no honour could be greater than the delivery of the University Lecture by one of its former Vice Chancellors, who had contributed in no small way to catapult the institution from a hitherto unranked university to one to be reckoned with on the global arena within his five-year tenure. And for members of the KU8+, Oloyede has been a great beacon of inspiration, a mentor, and an icon of emulation.
Coming on the eve of the 39th Convocation of the University, it would not be inappropriate to describe the twin-events in Professor Oloyede’s honour as the precursor of the grand annual academic ritual, as they have all the trappings of a well-organised convocation ceremony.
On each of the two days, the entire campus of the University of Ilorin wore a festive look, befitting of the grand celebration of an academic colossus, a symbol of moral rectitude, a rare breed Nigerian, a paragon of integrity, and an epitome of service excellence.
No wonder, the expansive University Auditorium was filled to the brim as early as 8.00 a.m. Everybody who was somebody jostled to secure a seat in the 3, 500-capacity hall. Everybody wanted to be counted among those who witnessed and partook in the event that comes once in a while like the proverbial Comet.
The Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence, who is a former Vice Chancellor of the University and incumbent Registrar/Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, is worthy of such honour as his trajectory of public service career speaks volumes of the exemplary footprints and the inimitable Midas touch that hallmark his tenure in any public service position he had held and still holding.
It was, therefore, not surprising that encomiums poured in torrents for the erudite scholar and consummate administrator as he gloriously bowed out of the service of the University of Ilorin.
Leading the dignitaries in pouring encomiums on the honoree, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, who instantaneously conferred the chieftaincy title of “Kuliyan Sokoto” on Professor Oloyede, described him as “an exceptional Nigerian patriot and a great scholar who made his marks at the University of Ilorin and JAMB.
The Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said that he has never been disappointed by the former Vice Chancellor in any way since he met him about two decades ago.
While congratulating the erudite Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence on his retirement, Alhaji Abubakar, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, charged Professor Oloyede to continue to serve as a role-model to the academics and public servants and even ordinary people across the country and beyond as well as generations to come.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, who is also the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, said that the retirement of the academic giant from the University of Ilorin closes a remarkable chapter in the glorious annals of the University.
Prince Fagbemi added that the life and career of the JAMB’s Chief Executive, who is also the Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, have been chronicled and would continue to be chronicled because of his numerous achievements.
The Justice Minister described Prof. Oloyede as an honest, articulate, kind-hearted, patriotic and intelligent personality who deserves to be celebrated for who he has been and what he has achieved.
Also, in his tribute, the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr Chris Maiyaki, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of Thomas Adewunmi University, Oko-Irese, Prof. Francisca Oladipo, congratulated Prof. Oloyede on all his achievements at the University of Ilorin and in JAMB.
He said that he was personally happy for Prof. Oloyede, as he always made things happen without mishap.
Maiyaki said that all the achievements of Prof. Oloyede stand as a testament to his exemplary personality and his dedication to duties.
In his Keynote Address, the Secretary General of the Association of African Universities, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, described Prof. Oloyede as a great knowledge diplomat who has worked extensively towards promoting learning not only in Nigeria but across the continent.
Prof. Oyewole, who previously served as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said that the retired former Vice Chancellor is a detribalised patriot and a man who cares for all without considering any primordial factor.
The AAU chief remarked that Prof. Oloyede is a special brand who is blessed with the rare blend of intellect, humility, strategic foresight and the man who transformed the University of Ilorin into Nigeria’s most preferred centre of learning.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the event, Prof. Mahfouz Adebola Adedimeji, described Prof. Oloyede as an epitome of talent, discipline and hard work.
He added that Prof. Oloyede devoted his entire life to the provision of quality services to humanity wherever he finds himself.
“On each of the two days, the entire campus of the University of Ilorin wore a festive look, befitting of the grand celebration of an academic colossus, a symbol of moral rectitude, a rare breed Nigerian, a paragon of integrity, and an epitome of service excellence”
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, who is also the Chairman of KU8+, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, said that the event confirmed that the only reward for uprightness is goodness.
He explained that the former Vice Chancellor was leaving behind an imperishable legacy not only in the University but also in public service and life in general, saying that the University would continue to hold him in high esteem.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of two books, “Islamics, Scholarship and Service to Society: A Festschrift for Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede” and “Glimpses into the Giant: A Tapestry of Tributes to Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede at 70”, in honour of Prof. Oloyede.
The two books were reviewed by a former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Prof. Afis Oladosu, who described the books and the event as a recognition, celebration, inspiration and appreciation of the good works of Prof. Oloyede.
In his response to the outpouring of tributes, Prof. Oloyede thanked the organisers of the event for a fantastic programme in his honour despite his imperfections.
He also thanked his family, friends, relations, and all those who attended the programme for the sacrifices they endured in making sure that they were at the event.
Among the dignitaries that attended the event were the Vice Chancellors of the Ku8+ -member universities, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, who was represented by the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Abubakar Akanbi-Jos; the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja; the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salis; the Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Malete, Dr J. B. O. Adewunmi; a prominent legal practitioner and Kuliya of Ilorin, Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, as well as serving and past Vice Chancellors and Principal Officers of various universities and senior staff members of JAMB.
Other dignitaries included the former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sharafadeen Tunji Ishola, the President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo; veteran journalist, publicist and former Editor of The Punch newspaper, Alhaji Najeem Jimoh.
*Akogun is the Director, Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin
