The Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, has extolled the virtues of the pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, who recently passed on. He said the life of the late renowned Geographer and erudite scholar was worthy of emulation.
Prof. Olatunde said this when he led the University Management Team on a condolence visit to the family of Mabogunje at the deceased’s residence in Ibadan on Thursday, 11th August 2022. The University delegation was received by the widow of the deceased, Mrs. Atinuke Mabogunje.
Mabogunje, who was Nigeria’s first Professor of Geography and first African President of the International Geographical Union, died on 4th August 2022 at the age of 90.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor expressed sincere condolences to the family on the demise of the foremost Professor, saying he would be greatly missed by all who came in contact with him. He acknowledged the legendary contributions of the late Mabogunje to education in Nigeria, especially his pioneering efforts at the Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago-Iwoye. He said the deceased was a great motivation for the institution.
Prof. Olatunde recalled how, in June 2020, the deceased donated all the books in his library as well as medals, certificates and other articles of personal recognition to the OOU Library. He pointed out that the University would eternally be grateful for the kind gesture.
He said, “Baba (Mabogunje) was somebody that we loved so much, we respected him so much. He was the pioneer Pro-Chancellor of our University for nine years; nobody has ever stayed that long!
“During the pioneering efforts, he distributed his allowances to the development of the University. Baba was so dear to us and we were so pained when he passed on. We know that at the end of the day, God giveth, God taketh. But we are happy that Baba spent a life that is of glowing impact and that is worthy of emulation.”
He noted that nobody could fill the vacuum created by the passing of the Geographer of international repute. He, however, urged the family to take solace that the nonagenarian scholar died a fulfilled man and at a ripe age. He, thereafter, prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of the departed and give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
The Vice-Chancellor, who later presented a letter of condolence on behalf of the staff, students and the University Community to the Mabogunje family, assured that OOU would actively participate in all activities for the burial of the former Pro-Chancellor.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs. Adebimpe Oye, who is Prof. Mabogunje’s daughter, thanked the University Management for the condolence visit. She described the University as a “passion” for her late father and expressed joy that the institution had grown in leaps and bounds.
