Unilorin honours departed ex-VC, Adeniyi, with Senate sitting

The University of Ilorin community, yesterday, held a special senate
sitting in honour of the institution’s departed former Vice
Chancellor, Prof. Adeoye Adeniyi.
The event which was held at the Main Auditorium of the University saw
foremost academics, colleagues, friends, students and relations paying
glowing tributes to the late emeritus who they described as
bridge-builder, quintessential teacher and exemplary family man among
others.
Leading members of the University Senate at the solemn ceremony, the
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, described the late
Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health as an illustrious
predecessor, distinguished scholar and worthy pioneer, who contributed
immensely to the development of the institution.
He added that the annals of the ‘Better By Far’ University would
remain incomplete without a favourable acknowledgement of the
deceased’s positions, tirelessness, industry and personal sacrifices
with which he served the University from 1978 when he joined it’s
services and the moment he breathed his last.
Prof. Abdulkareem said, “Long before I became the VC, I had
opportunity to interact with him. It was a chance to learn humility
from someone who has seen and done it all”.
The Professor of Chemical Engineering said that while the late Prof.
Adeniyi remains the only VC to have spent two terms in office, his
sojourn as the pioneer Chief Medical Director of the University of
Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) would remain evergreen judging by the
sacrifices he made in moulding the facility from scratch with meagre
resources and inadequate facilities.
Prof Abdulkareem added that despite being the only one who had the
privilege of serving as the Chief Medical Director of UITH and
thereafter the VC of the University, the late Prof. Adeniyi was
extremely humble and also demonstrated unquestionable integrity
throughout his public service and after retirement.
The VC congratulated the deceased’s family for being blessed with such
a great pathfinder even as he urged members of the university
community to emulate his virtues.
On his part, former VC of the University, Prof. Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem
OFR, described the late Prof. Adeniyi as father-figure and a thorough
administrator from whose wide experiences he benefited tremendously
during his own tenure.
Abdulraheem, who is also the Talba of Ilorin, urged the University and
the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that Prof.
Adeniyi lived a fulfilled life, which according to him deserved
celebration and not mourning.
Also speaking, the former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of
Technology, Minna, Prof. Musbau Akanji, recalled his encounters with
the late Prof. Adeniyi describing him as a detribalised Nigerian who
played immeasurable role in having his career at the University of
Ilorin.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of UITH, Ilorin, Prof.
A.D.Yusuf, who was represented by Dr. L.O. Odeigba, described the
deceased as iconic Physician and illustrious founding father of the
hospital.
Responding on behalf of the family, the deceased’s son, Deacon (Dr.)
Dapo Adeniyi, appreciated the university community for the honour done
his father even in death.
He added that the university had always supported his father who he
said was a rallying figure of his family and precious gift to
humanity.
The event which was largely attended, had the Head of the Department
of the Performing Arts, Prof. Ikibe, leading the prayer for the repose
of the soul of Prof. Adeniyi.
Prof. Adeoye Adeniyi, an indigene of Ogah in the Yagba West Local
Government Area of Kogi State, was the fourth and longest-serving VC
of the University of Ilorin. He led the institution between 1985 and
1992.