Gbenro Adesina
The exit of the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka on Monday November 30, 2020, whose tenure began on December 1, 2015, was trailed by mixed reactions. It is a ‘good riddance to bad rubbish’ to some members of the non-academic staff under the aegis of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, (SSANU). To demonstrate this, the active union members made a big party where ‘Akara’ (bean cake) was made for the celebration of the exit of the VC on November 30. Apart from that some non-academic staff led by Wale Akinremi trooped out en masse with their bunches of broom and swept the VC’s office as well as its environ, symbolically, sweeping off Olayinka and his bad administration away from the Premier University. Ironically, Olayinka, who formally reported in his Department, Geology, to continue with teaching that he was primarily employed for in the University was welcomed with an elaborate party organised by the management of his department.
Speaking on the stance of non-academic staff on the immediate past VC of the institution, Akinremi said, “Why we are here today is not to dissipate energy or make noise, but to appreciate Almighty God for seeing us through the tenure of Prof. Olayinka. We suffered untold hardship under the watch of Prof. Olayinka as the VC. We pray that never again will any vice chancellor put the workers and students through such a tortuous journey. At the time Prof. Olayinka came in 2015, the Federal Government did not owe us promotion arrears in 2014, how come that it was in 2015 that he came in that they owed us promotion arrears? The fact is that his tenure was a failure. For five years, both academic and non-academic members of staff could not get promotion arrears. We must have lost about two and a half years of academic calendar to the wasteful regime of Prof. Olayinka”.
“Olayinka tormented teachers of staff school for about five years. Teachers of staff school were collecting pension deductions from the Federal Government and they were signing monthly return forms under Prof. Olayinka. To date, he has not paid them. In other universities, teachers were promoted, but he did not do that. What manner of training did you benefit under Prof. Olayinka? What was the level of morale of workers or are you talking about security? Are you going to talk about work and maintenance or research grants? To date, the cleaners are complaining. At some point, we had to contribute money to give a sort of succour to the cleaners”, he added.
Responding, Olayinka described himself as eagle and his haters as raven. He went philosophical to the non-academic and others who see nothing good in him and his administration by sharing his thought through the story of eagle titled, “On the Eagle and soaring high”. “The only Bird that dares to peck an Eagle is the Raven. It sits on the Eagle’s back and bites its neck. However, the Eagle doesn’t respond or fight with the Raven. It does not spend time or energy with the Raven. It just opens its wings and begins to fly higher in the sky. The higher the flight, the harder it is for the Raven to breathe and the Raven eventually falls due to lack of oxygen. Not all battles you need to respond to. Not all arguments or critics you need to respond to or answer back. Just lift up a standard, they’ll fall off! Stop wasting time with the ‘Ravens’. Just take them to your height and they’ll fade away. May God take us to a height where it’ll be difficult for the enemies to peck on us”.
While the non-academic staff were celebrating the exit of Olayinka, a University of Birmingham in UK trained PhD in Geology, dressed in classic suits, with his principals and the gentlemen of the society going round the school to commission one project or the other thereby spending the day to immortalise himself. He commissioned around five projects which include: Faculty of Arts Building Extension, Water treatment plant, Chemical Dosing pump and Postgraduate College International House.
Afterward, he commenced the performance of his last official assignment in office at about 4:45pm with the submission of his hand over note to the 51 year old Ibadan born newly elected Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebola Babatunde Ekanola, and formally stepped down after handing over to Ekanola at 4:53 pm. He pointed out, “I was very relieved that there would not be a vacuum after all. We should rally round the new helmsman. Knowing his pedigree, I have no doubt; he will take my Alma Mata to a yet unprecedented level”.
However, contrary to the indignation heaped on the outgone VC by some non-academic staff, mostly belonging to rank and file, praises from the well-meaning and successful individuals from the four corners of the universe were heaped on the ex-VC. Professor Olabode Lucas on Saturday December 19, 2020, who retired from the nation’s Premier University said, “Although, I retired from UI in 2010, I have not severed my connection with the university. I am therefore in position to tell you people here how Professor Olayinka performed as VC at Ibadan”.
Lucas stated that during his tenure, Olayinka performed excellently well, in contrast to the story being peddled about by petty and biased people who see nothing good in other people, stressing that he brought UI to the eminent position as the No.1 University in Nigeria and 7th in Africa. According to him, Olayinka gave UI academic excellence and administrative efficiency and promotion of staff is unprecedented in the history of the university. “Professor Olayinka turned the university to a gigantic project site as the construction of many infrastructure and buildings were initiated and completed”, he explained.
He said, one of the unique achievements of Professor Olayinka was the honour he gave to his predecessors in office and past leaders of the university. He honoured past Vice- Chancellors like Adeoye Lambo, Tekena N. Tamuno, Olajuwon Olayide, Ayo Banjo, ABOO Oyediran, Omoniyi Adewoye and Ayodele Falase, and former Registrar Saburi Biobaku, in various ways. I am sure he too will be honoured soon”.
He said, “I will like to end this short address by alluding briefly to the noise being made by disgruntled people at the end of Professor Olayinka’s tenure over the choice of his successor. Many people may not know that the standard of students and workers in the university system had greatly degenerated. This has made the work of any VC very daunting. We now have in university system, students who are delinquent, lazy with no appetite for academic work, cultist in orientation, pampered, prone to manipulation by outside bodies like politicians and religious bigots, and ready for violent confrontations any time with the university authority. The workers on the other hand have become lazy, petty, invidious, interested in wealth without work, envious of people in authority, lack of respect for people in authority and tradition of the university, happy to practice, searing trade unionism and have become champions of religious and ethnic bigotry. The proprietor which is the government, provides inadequate funding for the university, engages in unbridled interference in the university administration, appoints low calibre people to University Councils. When you have this toxic combination of a cocktail of students, workers and government actions enumerated above, then you can deduce that no person even if he is an angel can occupy the post of VC without being scathed. Professor Idowu Olayinka performed gloriously as the 12th VC of University of Ibadan and I am sure, when an unbiased history of the university will be written, his name would be in gold”.
Also, during a farewell party on Friday December 11, 2020, organised by the University of Ibadan Ventures Limited for Olayinka at the Oduduwa Hall, Academy Suites, Oke Ado, Ibadan, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Dr Abib Olamitoye noted that the ex-VC spent curtailed turbulence throughout his tenureship and combining that with efficient administration of the Premier University.
He explained, “It is relatively easier to manage surplus but in the absence of money, creativity and decisiveness would have to be invented. Poverty is abrasive. Today, in Nigeria, poverty is pandemic. To manage scarcity is to invite critics, summon judgement and breed enemies. Even ravaging foes could be transformed into loyal friends when there is plenty to share. I must congratulate Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka for a very successful tenure, in spite of all the intimidating financial challenges. I know you feel happy and victorious today, for feelings of triumph and delight do not come from doing easy work, or from the acceptance of the gullible, or from the admiration of the mobs, but true fulfilment always derives from the satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demands our very best. You have put in your best, you have committed your all, and that is why we all gather here to thank you, to celebrate you, to honour you”. According to him, Olayinka has done very well and he had served God and humanity.
In the same direction, Professor A. B. Saba from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine prayed for Olayinka saying, “My prayer for you today is that the God of heaven will silence all your enemies and detractors. The good work you have done in the University of Ibadan will continue to speak for you. The conspiracies from all the different quarters will amount to nothing in Jesus precious name. Sir, please do be reassured that you have so many supporters much more than you know. All the attempt of mudslinging on you fail to hold. God will continue to renew your strength”.
Furthermore, one Babajide Ohu stressed that against all odds and scarcity of funds, his achievements has gone down in history that he turned all the stones to bridges.
Paul Adenipekun, a UI 200 level student described the ex-VC as a source of inspiration and motivation, a man of valor and rare gem adding, “Above all, your unwavering peculiarities of simplicity, humility, and sagacity just blow my mind”.
Also, Dr Abidemi Bolarinwa of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, in her tribute titled, “Professor Olayinka: Humility personified, loyal to friendship”, stated, “Those who know Prof Abel Idowu Olayinka will attest to the fact that he is “humility personified”. My first encounter with him was in 1998 and since then he has shown himself to be a great personality. He hardly shouts but he communicates effectively. Professor Olayinka is compassionate and extremely loyal to friendship; when I put to bed years back and my husband was outside the country, he always visited me at the University College Hospital (UCH) and he will sit by my bedside for several hours. To my amazement, when I was discharged from the UCH, he personally registered my baby at Jaja Clinic. He cherishes education; after my Masters degree he encouraged me throughout the duration of my doctoral programme. He is indeed a father in a million. The role he played in my life and that of my family can never be forgotten”.
To Dr Olawale Kayode Aromolaran of the Department of Geology, Olayinka is a man of wit and wisdom, an academic par excellence and an astute administrator adding, “To us in Geology Family, you symbolize diligence, passion, humility, and selfless and dynamic service. More importantly, you are an ardent upholder of academic standard and efficient manager of time and human resources”.
Former President, Nigerian Association of Engineering Geology and the Environment and former Head, Department of Geology, Professor Gabriel Oladapo Adeyemi, described Olayinka as an embodiment of Christian virtues of diligence, humility, love, humaneness, contentment, discipline, very intelligent, diligent, unassuming, meticulous, a thorough bred researcher. “He encouraged me to cross to the University of Ibadan (from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State) and he was kind enough to bring my letter of appointment to me at Ikire, Osun State. He is ever appreciative of whatever is done for him and he is usually ready to help even when it is difficult to do so”, he added.
According to him, “He rarely says “No” to any request. Prof Olayinka has an intimidating curriculum vitae that exposes his many standard publications, and community development. Even before he became the Vice-Chancellor of the Premier University, he had started introducing standard innovations that raised, and is still raising, the image of the University of Ibadan. People look(ed) at me with great respect whenever I introduce myself as a Professor of Engineering Geology from the University of Ibadan during NUC Accreditation exercises because of their knowledge of what it takes to be a Professor at UI. Prof Olayinka has a good sense of humour as a typical Ijesha man. He is a highly detribalised man who takes every Nigeria as his kinsman. Despite the fact that he was Vice-Chancellor when Nigeria was broke, his tenure brought great improvement in both human and material resources”.
Prof James Katende, from the Namibia University of Science and Technology said, “I heartily congratulate you for the lofty achievement of turning an institution that you met almost becoming extinct into a vibrant hotspot of academic excellence on all fronts – enhanced world rankings, enhanced academic buildings, and enhanced students’ accommodation infrastructure. Thank you for not sitting on staff promotions. Thank you for cordial industrial relations in spite of attempts from some to destabilise your tenure. Thank you for your humility that allows you to be fully visible and transparent by engaging social media actively. You have performed extraordinarily excellently and I am proud of your achievements”.
Prof. Sheriff Folarin from Covenant University, Ota, noted that his landmark activities resonated all across the land and beyond as UI alumni at home and abroad became more conscious of events in the Premier University. “There would be challenges, but the ability to tame and overcome them are the hallmarks of effective leadership. You raised the bar, Sir, and we celebrate you for these rare feats”, he added.
Dr. Tesleem Kolawole of the University of Osun State (UNIOSUN), who expressed that he did not envy good leaders because of what they go through in serving people pointed out, “But I so much cherish them when they leave office with a clean sheet and many achievements such as you have done. Despite all odds (from economic meltdown, difficult NASU crisis, ASUU strikes to global pandemic -COVID-19 and then VC selection crisis and so on) you were able to weather the difficult storm and steered the ship of our great UI to a promise land. I am convinced that you are one of few leaders who doesn’t care about using ordinary cup to serve yourself a coffee after you might enjoyed a coffee served with mug cup by people. I know your mind is filled with contentment and will always be ready to serve your people in any capacity you are asked to serve again”.
UI Baptist Church, Ibadan Pastor, Rev Timothy Olufayo said, “Your dexterity in leading the University is great. Your achievement is unparalleled. I am highly impressed by your excellent performance”.
Registrar, Bowen University, Iwo, B. T. Adetona, called his attention to the fact that he had done his best as VC adding, “If an Angel was appointed Vice-Chancellor of UI, he will not be able to satisfy everybody. Even, Jesus Christ was rejected by His people. No doubt, you did your very best to raise the bar of institutional governance in the Premier University, especially in the areas of academics and infrastructural development. Your achievements are evidently visible. Sir, I am happy, glad and proud to be associated with you. I wish you the very best in all your future endeavours”.
Former Head of Service, Oyo State, Soji Eniade, stated, “No doubt, you did your very best to raise the bar of institutional governance in the Premier University, especially in the areas of academics and infrastructural development. Your achievements are evidently visible”.
Acting Vice-Chancellor, KolaDaisi University, Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun who described him as a scientist-socio linguist said, “You were a digital Vice Chancellor administrator with uncommon vigour of responding to issues/dictates of the office through your writing styles and sense of humour in your speeches remain ever green!”.
Professor Akii Ibhadode, former Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, said that Olayinka, who laid indelible marks of success in the Premier University, have been a trailblazer earning a very illustrious academic career after his PhD programme.
Dr Tayo Magbagbeola of Chevron Nigeria Ltd said, “Olayinka, the esteemed outgone Vice Chancellor of our dear Premier University of Ibadan (UI) is a true leader and an embodiment of Integrity, Vision, Passion, Empathy, Influence, Inspiration, Confidence and Accountability. The first time I saw him in Geophysics Postgraduate class about 30 years ago, I knew he was destined for greatness. To Prof Olayinka, Leadership is much more an art, a belief, a condition of the heart, than a set of things to do. His sustained commitment to UI growth and promotion of its welfare has been unparalleled in recent history of the Ivory Tower. On a personal note, Prof Olayinka over the years has abundantly demonstrated that the sky is the limit for anyone as no barrier should stand between us and our dream. He is a Creative Thinker with Diligence and Dedication. His strong leadership and Innovation has been hugely Transformational for University of Ibadan. He has a passion to drive growth, improve quality of service and impact lives positively”.
He stated further, “Prof Olayinka successfully supervised my M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees as he did for 10s/100s of other students. He is a straightforward, amiable and easily approachable boss. He is always looking for his students’ progress; their success is his success. He is bothered about their challenges in equal measure too. Even though I have had supervisors from 2 additional degrees, Prof Olayinka’s Empathy, Compassion, Flexibility and huge Dose of Humility makes him radically different from others I have studied under. It is thus not surprising that University of Ibadan promptly climbed to number one position in Nigeria with decent ranking in Africa under his able leadership as the 1st and only Vice Chancellor from the Department of Geology”.
“While contesting to the Council position of University of Ibadan, a vicious campaign of calumny was mounted against Prof Olayinka because he insisted on a modern and transparent Promotion Guideline. That system is very efficient and one of the best in Nigerian universities today, God in his infinite mercy that elevated you above that distraction then will surely vindicate you above the current gale of hostilities against you again; Amen”.
