OAU honors Past Principal Officers, Observes A Minute Silence for Deceased Principal Officers

Lawal Olanrewaju

Through the initiative of the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire and other Principal Officers of the University, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University has taken steps to honor and reward the past Principal Officers. The past Principal Officers were awarded with a token of appreciation and rewarded for their remarkable contributions towards the development of the University.

The Chairman of the event, Professor Adebayo, while giving his opening address, welcomed everyone to the auspicious event and specifically thanked all the honorees/awardees for honoring the invite. The chairman further states that the University thought it well to festoon its progenitors for their immense efforts to sustain the university's standard. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bamire, in his speech, itemized the successes and other prospective agendas of the University in ensuring the University remains the bastion of academic excellence. 

The Vice-Chancellor however beckoned on everyone to observe a minute silence for the deceased among these intellectuals who hoist the flag of excellence during their respective time in office. He said “In my inspiration for this program, I reasoned that a good number of our former principal officers of this University had passed on. They include, in the Vice-Chancellor category, Prof. Oladele Ajose (1962-1966),  Prof. H. A Oluwasanmi (1966-1972), Prof. Ojetunji Aboyade(1975-1978), Prof. Cyril Agodi Onwumechili(1979-1982) among others, who were Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, Bursars, and Librarians”. In his description, he noted the Principal Officers to be ones who labored tirelessly to give this University the unusual foundation and structures that we have been building on over the years. 

Prof Bamire further stated that his vision for the University is to leverage the existing foundation, harness the alumni potential and Great Ife brand to creatively mobilize resources and transform all existing structures. He noted his mission as the Vice Chancellor of the University which is to exploit all existing national and international platforms available for Obafemi Awolowo University to grow and develop beyond the point it was before he received the position of the Vice Chancellor. 

He therefore credited all the achievements to all principal officers; all of whom in their various capacities, made possible the achievements listed and lauded them on their untiring efforts to promote values. He said, “We have enjoyed the support of our host environment and successfully attracted support from both alumni and friends of the University, to augment the governmental subvention, which we all know is grossly insufficient to meet the needs of the University”. The vice Chancellor, Prof Bamire also noted the privilege that the University has to host the WAUG games, which will start on the 16th and end on the 20th of December.

 Subsequently, an award was presented to the awardees for their time and stay in office. In the Vice-Chancellor category; the first recipient was an Africanist, an Ifa proselytizer per excellence, Prof. Wande Abimbola, who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University from 1982-1989  was ably represented by Mr. Odesanmi who received the award on his behalf.

 Prof. Caleb A. Osuntogun, who served as the University's Vice-Chancellor between 1990-1991) was also awarded for his indelible contribution to the growth of the University during his tenure. Prof. Wale Omole who was the University's Vice-Chancellor between 1991-1999 was also awarded for his efforts. Among the honorees and awardees are Prof. R. O. A. Makanjuola (1999-2006),  Prof. M. O Faborode (2006-2011),  Prof. Bamitale Omole (2011-2016), and last but not least, Prof. E. I Ogunbodede who was in office between 2017-2022 before the present Vice-Chancellor took over the mandate from him. 

In the Vice-Chancellors list, Prof. A. A. Elujoba (2016-2017),  Prof. J. O Adejuwon (1984-1986), Prof. S. O. Olusi (1988-1990), Prof. W. O. Odesanmi (1990-1991), Prof. A. Akinsola (2000-2004), Prof. A. A. Adediran (2004-2007), Prof. F. Togonu Bickersteth (2007-2011), Prof. Ayo Salami (2011-2016), and the former deputy Vice-Chancellor who later became the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simeon Bamire (2017-2021), among others were decorated. 

While in the registrar list, Mr. J. O. Popoola (1987-1991), Dr. (Mrs.) D. E. Ojutiku, Dr. (Mrs.) O.O. Olamijulo, Mr. A. O. Ogunruku, Mr. D. O. Awoyemi, and lastly, the past immediate registrar, Mrs. M. I. Omisule were honored and awarded for their indefatigable efforts during their time in office. 

In the Bursar list, the first recipient was Dr. (Mrs.). F. O. Aladekomo followed by Mrs. O. Opeyemi, Mrs. J. A. Akeredolu, and lastly, Mr. S. O. Ayansina who handed the baton over to the recent Bursar.

And last, in the Librarian list, Mrs. B. O. Asubiojo was the first honoree/awardee while Dr. F. Z. Oguntuase was the last recipient of the award in the category. 

Prof. Adegbile, while giving a speech on behalf of the awardees, recounted the efforts that were made to erode the vision and how politically driven ideologies nearly ended the vision of pioneers. He was grateful to God Almighty for the sacrifice of some of the past Principal Officers as they were resilient towards the type of power that was present during their period as the Vice Chancellor.  He further said,  “imagine if all of these great minds were not allowed to explore, imagine if this University never truly sees the light of the day, how would thousands of exemplary minds the University breeds get imparted? This University gains its baring through concerted efforts of heroes who were committed to promoting education and insulating values within the regions to its people”.  

Prof, Adegbile therefore appealed to the Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers of the University to continue in their stride to promoting excellence and pray that God will give him and the officers more wisdom and discretion to doing so. 

 Prof. Makanjuola, who joined the program virtually also commended the University administrators for their efforts in recognizing the contributions of past officers of the University. Prof. Makanjuola said the University made him and he's fond of it because it was the institution that shaped him and contributed immensely to his achievement thus far in academics.