UI Honours Three GCI Old Boys With Lifetime Achievement Award

EVENT TYPE: 

In the presence of emeritus professors, academic icons, captains of industries and expatriates, the University of Ibadan on Friday bestowed lifetime achievement awards on notable Nigerians including a former Chairman of PUNCH Nigeria Limited and Chairman of Continental Reinsurance Plc, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, his wife, Iyabo, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan and some professors.

A number of other eminent Nigerians, who are also graduates of the institution and whose lives have affected the 70-year-old institution positively, were also honoured at the colourful ceremony tagged “Lifetime Achievement Awards/Night of Honour.”

The event was held at the Trenchard Hall of the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Abel Olayinka, said the awardees were carefully chosen based on their indelible marks on the sand of time and more importantly, their contributions to nation building and humanity in general.

The event coincides with the weeklong convocation and 70-year celebration of UI.

Some of the distinguished Nigerians who received the awards from the institution are: the President/Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Ademola Tayo; a former Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Adeniyi Osuntogun; and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Prof. Olukayode Pitan.

Also on the list of the awardees are Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello; Vice-Chancellor, Crawford University, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi; Prof. Aderemi Kuku; Prof. Babatunde Salako; Prof. Benedict Oramah; Prof. Timothy Tayo; Prof. Abdul Fattah Mabadeje and Prof. Saida Mabadeje who was the first female PhD holder produced by UI in 1963; Prof. Folorunso Adu and Prof. Folarin Olawale Shyllon.

Others are the Registrar/Chief Executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Prof. Oluwasegun Ajiboye, Sir Remi Omotoso; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adebayo Adenipekun; Prof. Tunji Olaopa, Dr. Adesina Fagbenro-Byron; Mrs. Funso Adegbola; Prof. Ajibefun Igbekele; Prof. M. A. O. Rahman; Prof. Mark Nwagwu; Prof. Joseph Ajienka; Prof. J. E. Ahaneku; Prof. Ayandiji Aina; Valentine Aletor; and Pastor Olubi Johnson.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Subomi Balogun, who was represented by his son, Ladi, who doubles as the CEO of the FCMB, spoke on higher education and philanthropy.

While recalling how the privilege of his higher education influenced his philanthropy, Balogun said education could influence the philanthropic leanings of those who have benefited from it and attained success.

According to him, supporting education is one of the most effective means of contributing to the betterment of the society .

Balogun said, “Education is one of the critical drivers of the development of any society, if not the most critical, along with healthcare. It is incumbent on those of us that have been blessed with education, particularly higher education, to continue, to give back, especially to those institutions that shaped us. Education can never be funded by government or private fees.

“Many of the greatest institutions in the world have endowments that they are able to fund research and build tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and change agents. Supporting education philanthropically can potentially have the greatest multiplier effect of all kinds of giving.”

Balogun said most great institutions had visions or missions that went beyond academic learning, adding that, “for example UI’s vision is “to be a world-class institution for academic excellence geared towards meeting societal needs.”

One of the award recipients, Osuntogun, lauded the management of the institution for keeping the flag flying.

He recalled the discipline and academic excellence which the UI was known for in his undergraduate days and charged the authority to work assiduously in restoring the glory of UI to rank among the best universities across the globe.

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