THE Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who was a former LASU History Professor and Dean of Arts Faculty in LASU, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, has delivered an address on the occasion of the forty-eighth (48th) convocation on the Institution on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Having observed all present protocols, the Pro-Chancellor’s address read: “I am profoundly delighted and honoured to welcome the Visitor to Obafemi Awolowo University (Great Ife!), His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, a political icon and one of Africa’s greatest statesmen. It is also my distinct honour and privilege to welcome our esteemed Chancellor, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, the 13th Etsu Nupe, Emir of Bida and the ruler of the proud and industrious Nupe-speaking people, presiding over this great occasion. I respectfully welcome the Arole Oduduwa, the custodian of the mores and values of the Yoruba people all over the world, Kabiyesi, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, CFR. Let me at this juncture also welcome all our royal fathers to this great citadel of learning.
“Your Excellency, the Visitor, it is my great honour and privilege to stand before this gathering today as the 21st Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, my alma mater, the university that gave me all that I needed to navigate life. It is, indeed, a rare privilege, and I am most grateful to you for the opportunity given me to steer the affairs of this university.
“I also wish to thank our Visitor for appointing men of character, honour, impeccable integrity and thoroughbred professionals as external members of the Governing Council of this great university. In specific terms, we are grateful for the appointments of Barrister Joseph Abaagu (Benue State), Abubakar Kachalla (Yobe State), Wahab Owokoniran (Lagos State) and Ambassador Edward Sarki (retd) mni (Gombe State). The internal members of the Governing Council representing the Senate, Congregation, the Alumni and the Federal Ministry of Education are high-impact performers and great patriots.
“As we gather for this university’s 48th Convocation ceremonies, we hold this event as significant in Ivory Towers. It is culmination of years of dedication, hard work, unwavering pursuit of knowledge and personal growth for our dear students. I am, therefore, extremely happy to congratulate all our graduands on the successful completion of their academic programmes. Today, you have not just earned a higher degree; you have also unlocked a world of opportunities and possibilities.
“I stand on the strong pedestal established by the past Pro-Chancellors, particularly the Provisional Council chaired by the doyen of the legal profession, Chief FRA Williams – a council, which was formally inaugurated on 26 June 1961. I value greatly the immense contributions of other great men of Council, such as Mr H. M. B. Somade, Hon. Justice Adeyinka Morgan, Chief T. T. Solaru, Hon. Justice C. O. Madarikan, Dr Ibrahim D. Ahmed, Chief Bayo Kuku, Chief M. T. Mbu, Prof J. M. Falaiye, Major Gen. Dr. A. Rimi (retd), Dr A. I. Attah, Justice A. N. Aniagolu, Alhaji Shetima A. M. Liberty, Prof S. J. S. Cookey and Chief Abiola Morakinyo – all of blessed memory. I equally appreciate the phenomenal contributions of such living titans as Chief Arthur Christopher Izuegbunan Mbanefo, Senator (Dr) Oluwole Alabi (20-08-2009 to 09-09-2011), Prof Roland Ndoma-Egba (03-04-2013 to 06-06-2016), Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi (23-01-2017 to 06-06-2021) and Owelle Oscar Onyema (07-06-2021 to 16-06-2023).
“The Distinguished Visitor, Sir, permit me to recognise the hard work and contributions of the members of the University Management led by the hard-working Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire, our esteemed faculty members, our dutiful teaching and non-teaching staff, the staff unions, students, the alumni and our valued stakeholders for creating, supporting and sustaining an environment that is conducive to learning, which has enabled our graduands of today to complete their various degree programmes without any hitch.
“May I remind you that during our last convocation ceremony, we did not have a Council. The current Governing Council was inaugurated on the 4th of July 2024. This is my maiden convocation speech as the Chairman of the Council of Obafemi Awolowo University. Following our inauguration, we set out to address the challenges facing the University in a resource-scarce and extremely competitive world. We confronted these challenges with dedication and resilience. To the glory of God, we have recorded modest accomplishments within a short time after our inauguration. In our attempt to build on the successes already attained by the previous Councils of this great institution, we inaugurated the Strategic Plan Committee, comprising all stakeholders, to put together a plan that will serve as a road map, guiding us towards excellence in teaching, research and community engagements from 2025-2050. We also inaugurated the OAU @ 63 History Project Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof Abimbola Adesoji, the Head of Department of History to preserve the legacies of our University at 63 for posterity. This will be in the form of a published book that celebrates our University’s achievements and contributions, particularly and its attainment of enviable national and international status.
“The current Council is working in sync with the University Management, which has a 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. This Council, on August 19, 2024 inaugurated the 2025-2050 Strategic Plan Committee, headed by a Council Member, Barrister Joseph Abaagu, and consisting of many key stakeholders within the University. The 25-year plan is to map out direction, adapt to changes, optimise resource allocation, attract more funding, ensure sustainability in building on legacies of success and shape a brighter future for the university, in order to mitigate current and future challenges. During the maiden Management-Council Workshop titled ‘Envisioning a Great Future: OAU Strategic Plan (2025-2050)’, key stakeholders, including university leaders, academics and policymakers, outlined a bold vision for reshaping the institution’s future. The Keynote Address titled “Beyond the Plan: Turning Strategy into Success and Bridging the Gap between Planning and Execution” was delivered by the doyen of higher education and quality assurance in Africa, Professor Emeritus Peter A. Okebukola, OFR. The newly inaugurated Strategic Plan aims to redefine OAU’s engagement with its communities, foster collaborative partnerships, and promote sustainable development. Its core mission emphasises enhancing research output, improving societal impact and creating mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders.
“It is also important to note that, after the dissolution of the last Governing Council chaired by Owelle Oscar Onyema in June 2023, a new Registrar, Mr Kamardeen Adetunji Bakare, has been appointed. Additionally, a new University Librarian, Dr Olukemi Adebimpe Fadehan, and a new Bursar, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ikeola Abogan, have joined the university’s management team, and their appointments have also been ratified by the current Council.
“The Council and University Management have worked seamlessly to reach out for support for the University to bridge the infrastructural deficit of the University. I am happy to announce that a 10 room professorial suites was donated to the Faculty of Arts by Daere Afonya-a Akobo Foundation. The facility is currently under construction. We have also initiated a mutually beneficial working relationship with government strategic agencies, including the National Land Agricultural Development (NALDA) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
“In line with the directive of the Federal Ministry of Education on full implementation of the White Paper on the 2016-2020 Visitation Panel Report, I am pleased to inform Your Excellency and this gathering that the Council and Management have reached an advanced stage of implementation.
“Permit me also to recognise a fundamental contribution of the University Visitor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to educational growth and development in Nigeria through profound reforms in educational support. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has disbursed a total loan of N29,45,337,053 of the student loan to 90,472 students. I must extend our sincere appreciation to Mr President for approving a 50% electricity subsidy for universities.
“In addition, the Council has been able to interface with various stakeholders within the University, particularly the executive of all the organised labour unions, to ensure industrial peace in the University and encourage the closing of ranks among differing unions. The Council has also met with critical stakeholders, including industries, parastatals and selected National Assembly members, with our focus on attracting support for the development to the University. The results of this extensive outreach would soon begin to manifest.
“The Council and Management have also organised a one-day Capacity Building Workshop on “Best Practices in Procurement Planning and Process”. The keynote address was delivered by a senior officer in the Bureau of Public Procurement, Ms Ojeah Eugenia Esso.
“I must also stress that this Council is strongly committed to the welfare of all categories of staff. Conscious of the need to boost the morale of staff and promote peace and industrial harmony, the Council and Management have ensured that staff are being promoted as at when due. We do not have backlog of promotion cases. In the same vein, Council has also prioritized student welfare. A number of student hostels have been refurbished while others are under renovation. The Management has also ensured steady power supply to all halls of residence, the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library and other Faculty Libraries.
“The Council has also put in place the necessary machinery for the rejuvenation of OAU Investment Company, OAU Guest Houses and OAU Commercial Farm. Our goal is to ensure that the University, in partnership with credible organizations embark on mechanized farming.
“As we all know, alumni associations are pivotal to the growth and development of universities. In recognition of this fact, we have engaged with our vibrant alumni body on ways and means to continue to make Great Ife maintain its place of pride in the academic community.
“Our Dear Visitor, Great Ife continues to produce highly cerebral, intelligent and talented scholars. We are proud of the achievements of our products in the global space as evidenced by the likes of Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank; Prof Ganiyu A. Aderounmu received a prestigious award of Africa Outstanding Scholar of the Year on Technology bestowed on him by the Global Skills Hub, United Kingdom, during the 2nd Africa Education Summit held at the University of Nottingham, UK in April 2024. Recently, Dr Celestine Iwendi was appointed as a Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Bolton, United States. Professor Iwendi has made ground-breaking contributions to research in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and sustainability, advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through impactful research and global collaborations. He is ranked among the top 2% of influential scientists globally. Great Ife is also acknowledged as the factory of Vice-Chancellors, World Class experts in Technology, renowned legal practitioners, Federal Court of Appeal and Supreme Court Judges and Learned Silks.
“Mr President, Sir, ladies and gentlemen, while we are looking forward to better times in our country, the Council believes that funding of education should not be left to the government alone, as the problems confronting Nigerian universities, especially those funded by the government, are monumental owing to lack of adequate funding. This situation accounts for poor and outdated infrastructure, lack of modern teaching equipment, and poorly remunerated staff among other challenges. All these, no doubt, have diminished the capacity of universities to realise their goals and missions as envisaged by the founding fathers. Such handicaps make it extremely difficult for our universities to be ranked among the top universities in the world. In the coming months and years, I promise that the Council, under my leadership, shall continue to work assiduously to overcome some of these challenges.
“On this auspicious occasion, the university has identified worthy and accomplished men and women of impeccable character and achievements in their various areas. These are personalities whose track records reflect dedication, honesty, commitment to humanity and national development, and core values that align with the values of this great institution. I, therefore, very warmly congratulate all those who will be receiving the honorary doctorate of our great institution on this well-deserved honour. These are the recipients Senator (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu, CON, Dr Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Professor Anthony Olusegun Adegbulugbe, Mr Olutokun Kark Toriola, and Mr Daere Afonya-a Akobo.
“You all deserve even higher recognition. I thank you all for your positive interest in the progress and overall development of our university. The entire university community recognises your past contributions and commitment to doing more.
“I must specially thank the mother of the nation, our First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, an esteemed alumnus of our university, who recently donated a huge sum of money to our university specifically meant to resuscitate the floral landscape, which will restore the glory of our university as Africa’s Most Beautiful Campus. Great Ife is proud of you. Your Excellency, since you left this University a little over 41 years ago, today is a historic return to your alma mater. We have watched you closely over the years as the Mother of the Nation. You are our own Mother Theresa, a woman with milk of human kindness and a lady with a great passion for the underprivileged, the downtrodden, the poor and the hungry. Over time, you have empowered the sons and daughters of the nobodies in society to become great people.
“The University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), from where you graduated 41 years ago, is begging for attention in terms of new infrastructure, auditoria, hostels and classrooms. The Great Ife of your time was regarded as Africa’s Most Beautiful Campus. Today, the University is grateful for your intervention in its greenness, beautification and aesthetics. May God continue to bless our First Lady. It is on this note that I call on all stakeholders in the educational sector, philanthropist and our alumni to emulate the good deeds of our First Lady.
“Let us all take a critical look at the state of education in our country. As you know, universities should be at the forefront of knowledge generation and dissemination towards the development of our nation. It is a known fact that the mission of the government concerning education in Nigeria, as contained in the Ministry of Education website, is ‘To use education as a tool for fostering the development of all Nigerian citizens to their full potentials, in the promotion of a strong, democratic, egalitarian, prosperous, indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under God’. We must, therefore, cooperate with the government to realise this mission.
“In 1978, when I enrolled for the B. A. History programme at the then University of Ife, I was a young lad who had just completed his secondary education at one of Nigeria’s most cosmopolitan high school, Oke-Iragbiji Grammar School, Iragbiji, Osun State. At that time, Nigerian universities were truly national and international in the ideal sense. They were truly national and universal in students’ enrolment and staffing. We had world-class intellectuals from all over Africa, Europe and the Americas. At Great Ife, the Institute of African Studies had the German scholar and poet Ulli Beier and the Ghanaian scholar Dr Kofi Busia on its staff list. The Department of History had Joseph Mulira, a Ugandan and an expert in Russian History, on our staff list. In the Department of Literature-in-English, there was Okot p’Bitek, the famous author of Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol. In the Department of English Language, there was the legendary David Cook and T. Adokpaye (Miss). In the Department of Fine Arts, there was K. Asaki-Gyapon. In the Department of Linguistics, we had I. S. G. Madugu and Annie Monsy.
“Also, in the Department of Modern European Languages, M. T. Bestman was a Professor, while Sibylle Benninghoff-luehl and Suerda Alves Licenciatura, also served as lecturers in the department. In the Department of Music, there was C. D. Horton. In the Department of Philosophy, J. T. Bedu-Addo was a Visiting Reader, Barry Hallen and Geoffrey Hunt were Senior Lecturers, while B. S. Hawkins Jr. was also a Lecturer. We also had great scholars who could dare the lion in its own den, men of courage and character, the likes of radical ideologists such as Segun Osoba, Biodun Jeyifo, Omotoye Olorode and Samuel Aluko.
“Today, the Nigerian university system has been replaced with ‘indigenized’ and ‘villagized’ universities. The hitherto national and international character of the system has been replaced with inbreeding. The staff profiles of federal and state universities – academic and non-teaching –reveal a shocking practice of father, mother, brothers, sisters and children working in the same system.
“Family dynasty has replaced the merit system. The Council of this University will open its doors to the best talents from the Nigerian university system and other parts of the world. The Council will inject new blood, new vistas and new vision. At Ife, we will embrace scholars and administrators from other universities for the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“As we stand at the threshold of a new decade, our university must adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of higher education. The world is increasingly interconnected, and the boundaries between nations, disciplines and industries are blurring. To remain relevant, we must embrace internationalisation, leverage artificial intelligence, review our curricula and foster student entrepreneurship.
“Internationalisation: Globalisation has created new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing and cultural exchange. Our university must strengthen its international partnerships, attract global talents and provide our students with a cosmopolitan education. We will continue to forge partnerships with reputable institutions worldwide, offering joint degree programmes, exchange opportunities and research collaborations. This will not only enhance our global reputation but also prepare our students for an interconnected world.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial intelligence is revolutionising every aspect of our lives, from healthcare to finance and education. We must harness the power of AI to improve teaching, learning and research. We must now develop courses and programmes that enable students to understand and engage with digital research and research cultures. Our university will invest in AI-powered tools, develop AI-driven curricula, and establish research centres focused on AI applications. This will enable our students to stay ahead of the curve and contribute to the development of AI solutions that address societal challenges.
“Curriculum Review: Our curricula must be relevant, responsive and forward-thinking. We will review our programmes to ensure they align with industry needs, incorporate emerging technologies, and foster critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills. This will enable our graduates to navigate the complexities of the 21st century and create value in the global economy.
“Student Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of innovation and economic growth. We will continue to support student entrepreneurship through incubators, accelerators and mentorship programmes. Our goal is to create a culture of innovation, where students can turn their ideas into viable businesses, creating jobs and driving economic development.
“To achieve these goals, we will strengthen our Centre for Internationalisation to further drive and coordinate global partnerships and collaborations. Develop an AI Strategy to integrate AI into our teaching, learning, and research. Review our curricula to ensure relevance and responsiveness to industry needs. Launch a Student Entrepreneurship Program to support startup development.
“I congratulate our indefatigable Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire, the Management of the University and the current leadership of the Postgraduate School under the leadership of Prof Victor F. Olaleye. Our plan is not only to enhance the quality of postgraduate education in the university but also to ensure timely completion of PhD programmes by holding both the students and their supervisors squarely accountable for any slow progress recorded. Our vision of postgraduate education is also modelled after that of the University of Ibadan, where student enrolment is 60-40 ratio in favour of postgraduate education. Our Postgraduate School will also place a premium on STEM Education to make our products highly competitive in the international market and follow the footsteps of Richard Dawkins, Katherine Johnson, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Larry Page, Terence Tao, the late Steve Jobs and others.
“Before concluding my remarks, I must express special appreciation of the Council to our Visitor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR; our Chancellor, Alhaji Dr Abubakar Yahaya CFR; the titular head of this University; the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Morufu Tunji Alausa; the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu and the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono OON, for their support and visible impact on our University campus. We look forward to a more favourable disposition to our University.
“For the modest achievements this Council has achieved since its inauguration in July 2024, we must commend our Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire for his dedication to duty, his tenacity and sterling leadership in the running of affairs of the University. I also extend my warm appreciation and gratitude to all my colleagues in the Governing Council for their team spirit and the unity of purpose with which we have collectively steered the affairs of the Council. The University Management, the Senate, Academic and Non-academic staff, students and the organized unions also deserve appreciation for working very hard to move the University on the path of academic excellence and sustainability and above all, for the prevailing atmosphere of industrial peace and harmony.
“In conclusion, I once again congratulate all our graduands as well as their proud parents on this auspicious occasion. Today, you have attained the enviable success of earning your degree and you have also started a new journey of life that will come with its challenges. This new journey, however, is not an end but a beginning. The knowledge you have acquired, the skills you have honed and the friendships you have forged will serve as the foundation for your future endeavours. As you embark on this new chapter, I urge you to remember the values that have guided you through your time here. Integrity, empathy and a thirst for knowledge are the hallmarks of a true scholar. These values will be your compass as you navigate the uncharted waters of life.
“As we embark on this journey, I urge our graduating students to be global citizens, embracing diversity and cultural exchange; stay curious, adapting to the rapid pace of technological change; be entrepreneurial, turning ideas into innovative solutions; and be responsible leaders, using knowledge to create positive impact.
“The world today is a rapidly changing landscape, filled with both opportunities and challenges. It is a world that demands critical thinking, adaptability and a willingness to embrace the unknown. You are the generation that will shape the future. You have the power to innovate, to inspire and to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Embrace this responsibility with courage, compassion and an unwavering belief in your potential. Remember the lessons learned within the walls of this University. Remember the mentors who have guided you, the friends who have supported you and the challenges that have strengthened you. And as you step out into the world, remember that you are not alone. You are now part of our global alumni community. Therefore, do not forget your alma mater. Today, we celebrate your achievements. Tomorrow, we anticipate your contributions to the world and our University.
“Dear graduands, as you forge ahead with your success stories, let me encourage you with the immutable words of Sir Winston S. Churchill, the former Prime Minister of Britain: ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.’ On this note, I thank our distinguished guests and I wish our young ambassadors the very best and God’s blessing.
“Finally, I pledge my total dedication and commitment to the development of Great Ife as a university with cutting-edge research and as a solution provider to burning issues of National Development.”
Professor Siyan Oyeweso is a Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Academy of Letters.
