NIGERIANS have been advised to open their eyes to the national problems and open their mouths to call a spade a spade, toeing the path of former University of Ibadan Vice Chancellor, Professor Allen Bankole Olukayode Oladunmoye Oyediran, whose 78th birthday celebration and official launch of his autobiography was held at the UI International Conference Centre, on Tuesday.
Giving the advice during the review of the book, authored by Professor Oyediran, entitled: He Leadeth Me: Autobiographical testimonies of Olukayode Oyediran,” was a former Vice Chancellor of the Redeemer’s University, Professor Oyewale Tomori.
According to Tomori, Oyediran had, through the book, challenged other Nigerians on the need to speak up on the myriad of challenges confronting the nation and to be truthful, noting that the life of excellence and tenacity of purpose of the former university administrator reflected greatly in the 17-chapter book.
Tomori, in a blow-by-blow review of the book, took the audience through the early life of the author and how he met his wife of over 50 years, who is also chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, while he recommended the book for all categories of Nigerians.
The author and celebrant, Professor Oyediran, however, noted that the book was by no means the entire account of his life but “extracts of a work in progress,” noting that he hoped his story would raise hope and even faith in Nigeria and Nigerians.
The professor of medicine, who expressed elation at the presence of several dignitaries at the event, noted that he was initially reluctant to write his autobiography for many reasons but later succumbed to pressure from his colleagues, children and grandchildren, “who thought that the records would be set straight about certain things.”
He said the country today had changed a lot but feared the much-touted change could be a worst development from what it was used to be in the past, considering the drop in sociocultural value system.
“Things have changed a lot and I am afraid they’ve changed for the worst. We have many problems in this country. The one that is usually aptly talked about is the leadership problem, which is very true. But there is a very important problem which people don’t even talk about and, in fact, don’t seem to recognise and that is the followership problem.
“Things have got very bad indeed and we seem to have thrown all our sociocultural values through the window outside. There is a lot of impunity around the whole place and everybody is just saying once you get a leader, but where would the leaders come from? Are they going to jump down from heaven?
“They are going to come from among the pool of people. It is good to have leaders but we must pay attention to followership. We must pay serious attention to get our values, our socio-cultural values, back into the system. If we don’t, then we are wasting our time,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Professor Akin Mabogunje, who was the chairman on the occasion, noted that universities in the country needed to be turned to the path of truth and of promoting intellect, which, he noted, the institutions were known for in their days.
He appreciated the author for presenting to the public an autobiographical account and testimonies of his life and showing that “God is the only one capable of leading human beings.”
The chief presenter, Professor Oyinade Odutola-Olurin, also noted that the book was for the coming generation to see how to impact the nation positively, noting that “Nigeria needs more people like Oyediran.”
Another presenter, Chief Akin Disu, maintained that the book would teach Nigerians how to contribute to the greatness of the country, adding that the book became important given the fact that it contained vivid portrayal of the old Lagos and its beauty and being launched at the time Lagos is celebrating 50 years of creation.
Academics, politicians and several other dignitaries, including the wife of the acting president, Dolapo Osinbajo; deputy governors of Oyo and Ondo states, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo and Honourable Agboola Ajayi, respectively; wife of the Oyo State governor, Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi; former national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande; Chief Folake Solanke and the co-chairman of the ANN Plc, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, among others, were in attendance.
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