TODAY, I celebrate an erudite scholar, a cerebral intellectual; an effective teacher; a very humane individual and indeed a deep thinker and philosopher of the poststructuralist bent who is an embodiment of everything that has been said by greatest philosophers. One who bestrides the academic community like a colossus, refusing to be cowed by retrogressive and antebellum forces that arose in the contestation of his well-known avowals and commitment to humanity. Professor Oladipo Irele who until few days ago was a philosophy lecturer at the University of Ibadan where he held several positions both in the Department and in the Faculty of Arts taught various courses but his forte was political theory. It was in most of his classes that some of us came in contact with Marxian thoughts and the different contending philosophy that shape our perception of social realities. As he retires from the university, it is important that we celebrate his passage from structured academia, having attained the statutory and mandatory retirement age of 70 years. In blowing his trumpet which we know he would not want to do himself given his humble disposition, we would want others to see the light which his time in the citadel of learning brought to many Nigerian youths. In doing this, others will be encouraged to follow in his well-respected footsteps.
As a lecturer, he was available to all students, especially those of us on the left of the ideological divide. He was not an armchair philosopher but was always involved in giving assistance to us even as we engaged in the struggle for the emancipation of our nation from retrogression and underdevelopment. He patiently listened to us and supported our actions as student union leaders and as activists involved in the struggle. This is despite the apparent cost to his career path. He is from Edo State, Owan to be precise, but most of us his students were from other sections of the country. He never showed any signs that we were not his brothers or any other biases. He can teach any course and is versed in diverse areas of knowledge. He was active within the movement that waged the crusade for the actualisation of democracy and I remain active in galvanising the consolidation of democracy and development in Nigeria. I have the opportunity of closer acquaintance with him and his argument has always been that the worst democratic government is better than the best Military government for development in Nigeria
His virtue is above ethnic and other primordial sentiments and this he taught most of us by his exemplary relationship with us. This he has continued demonstrating all these years that we have come to know him. His standards and principles know neither tribe nor religion. Eventually, we have all become inured to the allure of ethnic and religious sentiments. He was moulding true Nigerian patriots and was committed to these ideals. We doff our hats for you Sir! A man of many parts, he left the University of Ibadan for a very short stay with the University of Lesotho South Africa. He taught various courses included amongst others Theory and strategy and tactics of underdevelopment. His contributions to the intellectual growth of the Academy led to the injection of an understanding within the cadreship of a worldview that is broad and entirely holistic. Professor Irele is a detribalised Nigerian who is very comfortable with everybody no matter the part of the nation you come from. He is always ready to engage us in any subject, especially on issues that relate with politics and its accompanying but overlapping social sciences. He seeks our perspectives and does not frown on or derogate our positions but skillfully presents his viewpoints, allowing the light of his thoughts to shine on our position, exposing its dark spots and thus illuminating our understanding. We remember the late Professor Olusegun Oladipupo, late Professor Olu-Owolabi, Professor Monsignor Adeigbo and Abubakar Momoh, who has gone to be with the Lord.
We are indeed indebted to Professor Irele who has featured as a shining example for the last four decades in our collective struggle to enthrone genuine democracy. I recall his numerous engagements with younger generations of cadres under the platform of the Marxist Socialist Movement (MSM) coordinated by the late Comrade Olaoni, an erudite professor of Economics at the University of Ibadan. In line with Professor Irele’s quest for a society of conscious citizenry as well as selfless leadership, we are constantly reminded that poverty of the mind merely consigns citizens to the warm embrace and cheers of their very oppressors. Our celebration of Professor Dipo Irele is a recognition of his commitment to forthright excellence. Our sincere wish for Professor Irele as he celebrates 70th birthday on this day April is that he continues to live in good health with abundance to grace following meritorious retirement from the academics.
- Jimoh, a farmer, is a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly
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