Olabisi Onabanjo University Muslim Community is proud of the exploits and accomplishments of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, the Chief Imam of the University, Dr Abdul Hakeem Akanni, has declared. The scholar said the Vice-Chancellor’s exemplary leadership in the University typifies the teachings and tenets of Islam which espoused using positions of authority to make meaningful contributions and improve the lot of the people.
Dr Akanni made the submission at the Jumat Service held at the University Mosque, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye, as part of the activities to celebrate the 30th and 31st Convocation Ceremonies of OOU. The special congregational prayers, led by the Chief Imam, was attended by members of the University Muslim Community.
Delivering his Khutbah (sermon) taken from Chapter 57, Verses 16 and 17 of the Holy Qur’an, the cleric urged Muslim faithful to use their positions positively and further enjoined them to always be humbled by the remembrance of God. He noted that everyone has a limited time on earth and must, therefore, spend such time in accordance with the dictates of Allah.
The Chief Imam noted that positions of authority are transient, hence the imperative of using them to improve lives so that people can often make reference. He called on staff and students of the University to spend their time and use their positions to please God. ”Everyone of you knows what is good and what is bad. Everyone of you knows what to do for the development of this University. Do not be like the people of yesteryears who had plenty of time and were not judicious about it. There are people who had occupied the positions you are occupying now, their time ended, your time would also end,” he told the crowd of worshippers at the mosque.
He admonished the congregants against corruption, greed, highhandedness, abuse of power and inordinate desires, saying the consequences of such vices are grave. ”Allah says that on the day when everything will come to an end, those who used their offices for good will be rewarded for what they have done. But those who used it in a negative manner, Allah says they would regret their lives,” the Chief Imam said. Dr Akanni, who stated that the tenure of Prof. Olatunde as Vice-Chancellor was gradually winding down, pointed out that he had used his office to the admiration of all and sundry. He lauded the Vice-Chancellor for bringing peace, progress and development to the University, adding that his name would forever be immortalised in the history books of the University.
He further appreciated other Principal Officers of the University for their Cooperation and unflinching support to Prof. Olatunde which, according to him, had resulted in success story. He said, ”We can all see the development around; staff salaries are being paid promptly and regularly. Mr Vice-Chancellor, return to your Lord with a well-pleased heart and God will welcome you. I’m speaking on behalf of members of this University Community, you have done well and God will honour you. I know your soul is at rest because you have nothing to fear, you have done so well. Return to your Lord as a well-pleased soul.’’
”We are not only appreciating you sir, we are also appreciating your Management Team; all of you that have come together to make this University a better place for us to work in. We are very proud of you. We are very proud of this University now. We hear good things about this University; it is because you take good decisions and you act the way Allah has commanded. May Almighty Allah continue to be with you,” the Islamic scholar added.
The Chief Imam also advised those who would succeed the present crop of administrators to build on their legacies in the overall interest of the University, stressing that they should always endeavour to give their subordinates and the generality of workers their rights.
His words: ‘The managers have done their own and their terms will be coming to an end. New officers will be taking over from them. Where they would finish, please do not stop there; that is the essence of this Khutbah (sermon). They have done their best, those of us who will take over should not destroy their legacies. ”Even students should not tarnish the name of the University. Wherever you go, be good ambassadors of this University. Remember the opportunity you have to acquire University education, there are a thousand and one others who did not have such opportunity. It’s not by your might but by the mercy of Almighty Allah.”
Apart from the Vice-Chancellor, others who graced the occasion included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Charles Adekoya; the University Librarian, Dr Adebambo Oduwole; Bursar, Mr Semiu Makinde, and the Chairman, Muslim Community, Prof. Lasun Gbadamosi, among others.
