As the curtains draw to the end of the glorious tenure and action packed admiration of our 13th Vice Chancellor there is a great compulsions for me to document few things I know about him.
Not only because he was my classmate in 1980 in the Preliminary Science Class, we are both indigenes of Ibadan and members of the Federation of Ibadan Students Union (FISU). After the Preliminary Science Year we were still relating together with another Chemistry guy who later became Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
One other reason why I must bid him farewell from the exalted office was the constant adulation, courtesy and respect that he extends to me publicly and privately throughout his tenure. “Egbon mi o” is his usual refrain with a salutary bow whenever we meet. In fact, a security officer observed sometimes at the Central Portals Lodge in 2022 and wondered why the now outgoing VC was always giving me such honour!!
About the same period at a function in the College of Medicine, he singled me out for recognition and people wondered and I felt truly elated.
Just this week at the Special Senate Meeting organised in his honour, the outgoing VC recognised me to the extent that two senior professors who were not physically present but watched the proceedings virtually remarked that we met after the meeting and another person in writing just today!
At another lecture organised in his honour given by a Ghanaian Professor in Trenchard Hall about three weeks ago, it was the same pattern of adulation from our outgoing VC.
Professor Kayode Adebowale has already alluded to what I did or did not do during his bid for the exalted position in 2020 and 2021 in his well crafted Tribute to me in his contributions to my book; “My Footprints on the Side of Time; Ganiyu Adetunji Adeniran @65.
The rest is history. He was represented at the Book launch in 2022 and paid more than the launching price! He has consistently oiled my pockets anytime the spirit directed him. That generosity and lavish giving is his hallmark was freely alluded to recently by at least three of the Principal Officers. Therefore, I have no inhibitions in saying that as well.
As Vice Chancellor, he did the routine of the office; attending meetings, giving approvals financial and non-financial support to various departments and units and appointed competent people to positions. Anybody can possibly do all that!
He also saw to the establishment of new faculties and departments on September 30th at the Staff Club organised forum titled: “Our UI” he was armed with over 300 pages Treatise of his achievements.
I am impressed with the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the University which attracted a number of physical infrastructures to the University. The last two weeks has seen commissioning galore!
The ongoing construction of the new Senate building in my opinion is the high point. I am sure that Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba will see to the completion and commissioning and move to the the building and possibly give it a deserving name.
Professor Adebowale as VC came, he saw and left Footprints on the sand of time. Hearty congratulations Greater heights still. Ire o.
Dr. Adeniran is a retired scholar at the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ibadan
