From faculty to
faculty, drums will rumble and grumble so thunderously as the campus of the
University of Ibadan (UI), will be kept agog with all manner of festivities
involving dancing, singing, acting – all in celebration of the Nigeria ’s premier university, the University of Ibadan which turns 70 years this
November. In marking the milestone, however, the management of the university,
headed by Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka has declared a year-long ceremony,
beginning from October this year to November 2019 in order to fully
commemorate a university that has remarkably imparted the world.
Established in 1948, UI which is admirably
tagged “the First and Best,” could be described as a relatively young
university when compared with some prestigious universities across the globe.
For instance, a 70-year old UI can’t be compared with the Again,
However, despite its young age, UI has by far,
established itself as a world-class institution, becoming a prestigious
national patrimony with an enviable reputation and record of sound scholarship
obtainable and comparable in any part of the world. The achievements of this
university in the last 70 years, to use that particularly all-in-the-air
American expression, are “awesome.” If indeed you know a tree by its fruits, Ibadan has undoubtedly
defined itself by the high quality of its products, parading many brilliant and
bold graduates, who have since been shaping the world. Indeed, UI’s products
are its pride.
Universities all over the world function on the tripod of teaching, research
and service to the community. Ibadan
has distinguished itself in all these key areas to the amazement of the
pundits. The exponential effect of its contributions to Nigeria , Africa
and the world is quite unimaginable. There is no continent that the UI’s
products are not making waves. It needs no emphasis that Ibadan produced the first generation of
writers, scholars, diplomats, technocrats, artists among others.
Those who
attended UI are the pride of the country. They include but certainly not
limited to Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, J. P Clark, Christopher Okigbo, Mabel
Segun, Ben Obumselu, Micheal Echeruo, Biodun Jeyifo, Francis J. Ellah, Oladipo
Akinkugbe, Femi Osofisan, Niyi Osundare, Odia Ofeimun, Bode Sowande, Franscesca
Perreira, Dan Izevbaye, and Abiola Iyere. Also in the long list are Kenneth
Dike, Adiele Afigbo, Kayode Osuntokun, Olumuyiwa Awe, J. F Ade Ajayi, Bola Ige,
Olumbe Bassir, Goke Olubunmi, Dapo Adelugba, Tekena Tamuno, Obaro Ikime,
Gamaliel Onosode, Billy Dudley, Ojetunji Aboyade, Felix Ohiwerei, Akin
Mabogunje, Adamu Ciroma, Jubril Aminu, Ola Oni, Bade Onimode, Omafume Onoge and
so on
Traveling through the past, one is compelled
to pay homage to those who had passed through Ibadan , thus, creating the enduring, rigorous
intellectual template with which the institution has been reinventing itself.
Records show that scholars of different stripes from different parts of the
world have passed through Ibadan ,
leaving behind remarkable creative, artistic and scientific legacies. We have
them to thank for blazing a worthy trail. UI is what it is today because some
people sacrificed their yesterday for the betterment of our today. We are
indeed beholden to our forebears.
Can this university celebrate its platinum
jubilee without remembering the past Vice Chancellors who staked their lives
for the survival of the system? Many of them were insulted, embarrassed,
threatened and assaulted in the course of building Ibadan . Yet, they put in their best to ensure
that UI remains the flagship of higher education in Nigeria . Prof. Kenneth Mellanby
began this journey. He was the first Principal between 1947 and 1953, followed
by J. T. Saunders (1953 – 1956), John Parry (1956 – 1960), Prof. Kenneth Onwuka
Dike (1960 – 1967), Prof. Thomas Adeoye Lambo (1967 – 1971) and Prof. H.
Oritsejolomi Thomas (1972 – 1975).
They also included Prof. Tekena N. Tamuno
(1975 – 1979), Prof. Samson O. Olayide (1979 – 1983), Prof. Ayo Banjo (1983 –
1991), Prof. Alien B. Oyediran (1991 – 1995), Prof. Oladosu Ojengbele (1995 –
1996), Prof. Omoniyi Adewoye (1996 – 2000), Prof. O. O. Olorunsogo (acting,
2000), Prof. Ayodele Falase (2000 – 2005), Prof. Olufemi Bamiro (2005 – 2010),
Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole (2010 – 2015) and the incumbent, Prof. Abel Idowu
Olayinka whose five-year single tenure is expected to lapse in 2020. All these
people and their team players gave UI their best of service. Perhaps it is
against this background that a “Night of Honour” (where those who have
contributed to the development of the university will be appreciated) is
included in the schedule of activities marking the 70th anniversary.
n the same vein, it is not out of place to thank Olubadan in
Council and the entire Ibadan
people for their generosity with their land. Ibadan is a city of open arms. The
friendliness of the natives draws all like a mystic magnet. Ibadan people gave the university much latitude to thrive
as there has never been a record of hostility between the university community
and the native of Ibadan . Kudos
to our brothers and sisters of Ibadan
origin.
Clearly, this 70th anniversary commands
singing, drumming, dancing, champagne popping, jollification and merry
making. It deserves a year-long commemoration that has been
declared. This institution, where academic prowess is combined with
intellectual sagacity deserves to be celebrated by all Nigerian for its impressive
achievements and contributions to the country. It was the former
President Goodluck Jonathan who noted with delight, some years back that
every Nigerian bears the influence of UI. According to him, “if you did not
attend UI, somebody from your family must have finished from UI. If that is not
the case, but you went to school in Nigeria , you must have been taught
by someone who graduated from UI or who was taught by someone who finished from
UI.
Therefore, you bear the influence of UI”. This
could not have been an empty assertion. More so when UI produces 45 percent of
all Vice Chancellors of other universities in the country. At a recent press
conference, the UI Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olayinka disclosed that UI has since
inception produced 232,225 graduates in various disciplines. Today, Ibadan is the producer of the highest number of Ph.D
degree holders in Africa with over 400
professors on its staff list. It is the intellectual capital of Nigeria ; a
scholastic beehive where cerebral honey is being produced for the world.
Interestingly, In spite of buffeting of time, UI is still as strong as it was in the beginning. It is sustaining the legacies and raising the bar of scholarship. Without exaggeration, this university is a shining star among the galaxy of stars with continued conversation on intellectualism. As postulated by an Indian boxer, Vijender Singh, “achievements are precious and timeless, just like the precious metal platinum. And what better way to celebrate milestones than with precious platinum.” This platinum jubilee ought to be celebrated with wine and sweet words. That is exactly what will be happening on campus in the next one year. This is because from inception till now, it has been one leap of progress unto another. UI has been soaring higher and higher with the strength of its own wings, encouraging the growth and maturation of other universities.
Interestingly, In spite of buffeting of time, UI is still as strong as it was in the beginning. It is sustaining the legacies and raising the bar of scholarship. Without exaggeration, this university is a shining star among the galaxy of stars with continued conversation on intellectualism. As postulated by an Indian boxer, Vijender Singh, “achievements are precious and timeless, just like the precious metal platinum. And what better way to celebrate milestones than with precious platinum.” This platinum jubilee ought to be celebrated with wine and sweet words. That is exactly what will be happening on campus in the next one year. This is because from inception till now, it has been one leap of progress unto another. UI has been soaring higher and higher with the strength of its own wings, encouraging the growth and maturation of other universities.
Meanwhile, are the UI alumni standing on this occasion? It is
obvious they are scattered all over the world, but this is the time for them to
come back for a flashback. This 70th anniversary is big enough to
bring back those who were baked by Ibadan . The
alumni should remember their alma mater with a view to assisting the school
that made them. The relationship between old students and their
former schools is analogous to the relationship between a father and his
children. When the father is old, the children come back to
assist. At 70, most of the facilities put in place in 1948 have become
ramshackle and bedraggled.
Given the array of its products, UI has no
reason to be poor. By the way, this is an open invitation to all UI
alumni all over the world to come and assist their university. The
money coming from the Federal Government is barely enough to run the
university. UI pays electricity bill of N60 million per month, buys
diesel of about N5 million and pays N16 million for the cleaning of the campus.
The VC hairs have suddenly become grey as he constantly racks his brains on how
to get money to run the university. UI certainly needs help from those it has
helped with knowledge.
Apart from coming to donate to the university,
alumni can as well bring their wives, husbands and children to celebrate with
UI on this occasion. It is good to come and check out those places
where youthful exuberances were displayed in those days. It will be
more amazing to see developments that have taken place on campus, halls of
residence, Urbar dam, zoological garden, botanical garden, Agbowo, Bodija,
Sango, Ojoo, Mokola, Dugbe among others. Indeed, it will be an
opportunity to bond better with former lecturers and associates left behind in Ibadan .
For instance, 1988 graduates of Economics came back to the university recently, marking 30 years of leaving UI. They made a modest donation to their department, instituted scholarship scheme and left. This was commended by the Management as the set enriched the university. The 1967 set has been so marvelous in this direction. They are probably the most organised set of all graduating sets. They built the main gate, erected an intellectual bust and have been meeting regularly in order to see how they can further give back to their former school. This is a challenge to all graduating sets. They should know that they are obligated to remember the university that made them. They are expected at this anniversary.
*Saanu is media assistant to Vice Chancellor,University of Ibadan .
For instance, 1988 graduates of Economics came back to the university recently, marking 30 years of leaving UI. They made a modest donation to their department, instituted scholarship scheme and left. This was commended by the Management as the set enriched the university. The 1967 set has been so marvelous in this direction. They are probably the most organised set of all graduating sets. They built the main gate, erected an intellectual bust and have been meeting regularly in order to see how they can further give back to their former school. This is a challenge to all graduating sets. They should know that they are obligated to remember the university that made them. They are expected at this anniversary.
*Saanu is media assistant to Vice Chancellor,
No comments:
Post a Comment