ASUU, 4 VCs, others eulogize UNILAG professor Odukoya at 60

The national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), four vice and deputy vice-chancellors, two diplomats, scores of professors, families, friends and students, converged on the University of Lagos, Akoka, last week to honour Professor Adelaja Odukoya, who is a dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and also the Lagos zone coordinator of ASUU as he clocked 60.

Odukoya, a professor of political science joined UNILAG as an Assistant Lecturer in 2004 and rose across ranks to become a professor.

As he clocked 60 years of age, the faculty rolled out a drum to celebrate him with a public lecture, themed “Nigeria’s Developmental Challenges: Which way forward.”

At the event were the National President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, who was represented by the deputy president, Prof Peace Piwuna; two ASUU former presidents, Dr Dipo Fashina and Prof Nasir Fage; ASUU national Treasurer, Prof Siji Sowande; and a host of others.

It was not surprising that the occasion witnessed such a high ranking ASUU officers in attendance. Prof Odukoya is one of them. He has served as a branch, zone and national leader of the group. He is a former branch chairman, UNILAG. He is currently the Lagos zone coordinator, coordinating ASUU activities in seven universities.

Similarly, Odukoya has given so much to his academic and research activities that many university administrators could not but honour him with their presence.

In attendance were three serving vice-chancellors, one former vice-chancellor, two deputy vice-chancellors, scores of deans of faculty and other great scholars.

Among them were Prof Folasade Ogunsola(UNILAG VC), who was represented by Prof Lucian Chukwu, the deputy vice-chancellor(Management Services); Prof Kayode Adebowale(VC, University of Ibadan); Prof Razaq Kalilu (VC, LAUTECH, Ogbomosho); Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe(former UNILAG VC); Prof Peter Olapegba( deputy VC, Administration, UI); Prof Mopelola Olusakin (former Director of Academic Planning, UNILAG); and Prof Musa Obalola(Dean of Students’ Affairs, UNILAG).

Others include Prof Alaba Ogunsanwo(former Nigeria’s ambassador to Belgium); Prof Tunde Babawale( former DG, CBAAC); Prof Adele Jinadu, who chaired the event; Prof Olawale Albert (keynote speaker from UI); Dr Wilson Ijide (discussant); Prof. Risikat Dauda (discussant); Mr. Femi Aborisade(discussant); Oba Abdulrasheed Banjo(Olokine of Ojowo, Ijebu- Igbo); Dr Ademola Azeez(Provost, FCE(T), Yaba); Dr Bobby Moroe (Consulate-General, South Africa) and his wife, Lebo Moroe, and a host of others.

Those who spoke at the event among them extolled the virtues of the celebrant.

They acknowledged his rich contributions to his field of study, his workplace, ASUU’s struggle, his students and humanity in general.

They believe that apart from being a great scholar and administrator, Odukoya is also a fearless unionist, who always speaks against unpoluar government policies right to the face of political leaders for a better society.

The keynote speaker, Prof Olawale Albert from UI, for example, described Odukoya as a global scholar, who combined it with activism, noting that Nigeria needs more like him to fight for quality education and better society.

Albert, a Professor of African History, Peace and Conflict Studies, declared that Nigeria do not respect knowledge and that any society that does that will certainly make do with area boys politics like the one Nigeria has been having even now.’’

He argued that Nigerian politicians are not interested about lifting people but themselves and their cronies and that is why the political- economy is in shamble.

He, however, cautioned the political class to channel the country’s resources rightly and lift the masses out of extreme poverty, saying Nigeria must not go in the way of Somalia and Libya.

He said people who are smiling today believing they have all the resources to take care of themselves and families will suffer more than those they are oppressing if the system should collapse completely.

According to him, the system is gradually collapsing.

Asking rhetorically if Nigeria is still the giant of Africa, saying the country has ceased to be so since 10 years ago.

In fact, he added, Nigerian citizens are being insulted all over the place around the world just because of the fall of the country.

In her own remark, UNILAG VC, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, described Odukoya as a comrade professor and one of the pillars upon which UNILAG rest.

The VC, represented by Prof Lucian Chukwu,said Odukoya’s dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, justice and equity is unwavering.

She said the university community rejoices with him and congratulates him on his diamond anniversary, wishing him many fruitful years ahead

Also speaking, the former ASUU president, Nasir Fage, expressed great displeasure on the continuous low budgetary allocation to education by successive governments, arguing that until substantial resources are committed to the sector, Nigeria economy will remain poor.

Fage canvassed that it is high time that Nigeria had a new constitution away from the current 1999 Constitution that would addresses the genuine concerns of the generality of people and not the few politicians.

According to him, Nigerian politicians create all avenues to divide the people while on their part, pursue their selfish common interests.

“So, we need a new constitution that every Nigerian will be able to identify with,” Fage emphasised.

On his part, the Olokine of Ojowo, Ijebu- Igbo, Ogun State, Oba Abdulrasheed Banjo, described Odukoya as a real community person, stating that he has contributed so much to the development of Ojowo community.

He said he was sometime in the past and based on his huge contributions, given an award of excellence by the community and now “the comminity has found him worthy to be conferred with a traditional tittle of “Afimogboye” and this will be done before the end of the year.”

The monarch, who advocated inclusion of roles for traditional rulers in the country’s constitution, however, urged ASUU not to renege on its efforts to ensure the government addresses critical national issues for the betterment of all Nigerians.

Speaking exclusively to Nigerian Tribune, the celebrant, Prof Odukoya, thanked the university community, ASUU, and every other individual who created time to celebrate with him on his diamond anniversary.

He said he still have much to give to humanity and that he would not also stop to be an activist.

He said “Nigeria must rise again and work for all and not for only the few political class.”