The Olabisi Onabanjo University Muslim Community has honoured two former Vice-Chancellors of the University, Prof. Saburi Adejimi Adesanya and Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, for their uncommon transformation and tremendous contributions to the development of the institution during their respective tenure, noting that the two are exemplary leaders who will continue to be the pride of the entire Muslim Ummah. While Prof. Adesanya served as Vice-Chancellor from 2012 to 2017, Prof. Olatunde, who succeeded him, presided over the affairs of the University from 2017 to 2022.
At a send-forth ceremony organised for the former Vice-Chancellors on Thursday, 12th January, 2023 at the Islamic Centre, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye, the Muslim Community also honoured the current Director of OOU Ventures, Prof. Busurat Oluwakemi Adekola, for being the first female Muslim Professor in the University. She was presented with an award plaque.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, said the two former Vice-Chancellors, under whom he served in different capacities, resuscitated the University from the doldrums. According to him, his predecessors deserved to be celebrated because of their visible records of achievements. He praised them for the various initiatives which have reformed the operations of the University and made it a tertiary institution to reckon with in the country.
Prof. Agboola commended the Muslim Community for hosting the event and assured its members of his commitment to supporting them towards taking the University to greater heights. He also solicited their continuous cooperation for his administration.
Corroborating him, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, OON, noted that the University enjoyed stability while both Adesanya and Olatunde were in office. He noted that their administrations made lasting impact and wished them well in subsequent endeavours.
In their separate remarks, some dignitaries, including a former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Senator Adegbenga Kaka, the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrazaq Adenugba, the Baba Oba of Ago-Iwoye, Major General Sansaliu Awosanya (rtd) and the Waziri Musulumi of Ijebuland, Alhaji Tele Ogunjobi, congratulated the two former Vice-Chancellors for being lucky to be honoured. They described both Adesanya and Olatunde as go-getters who also engendered cordial relationship between the University and the host communities. They, however, urged the former Vice-Chancellors to continue to lend support to the incumbent in the task of moving the University forward.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, OOU Muslim Community, Prof. Mikail Lasun Gbadamosi, stated that the event was held to celebrate the successful completion of tenure of the two former Vice-Chancellors who are Muslims and appreciate their contributions to the development of the University Muslim Community. Meanwhile, the Guest Lecturer at the ceremony, who is also the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Prof. Shaykh Lukman Jimoh, has asked Nigerians to embark on self-transformation in order to have the much desired better country. In his lecture entitled, “Societal Reformation Through Quality Leadership: The Islamic Perspective,” Prof. Jimoh, who was represented by Dr Usman Abdulhameed, noted that the success of any society is inherently entrenched in the righteousness of its citizens. The don stated that the society was in great need of reformation due to the prevalence of destructive philosophies and enjoined the people to play their role by always following the dictates of Allah.
