Campus News

In a blaze of glory and glamour, UNILORIN honours its stars

   … One good turn deserves another – Egbewole

By Abubakar Imam and Bashir Dawodu

The campus of the University of Ilorin was literally turned to a beehive of activities last Wednesday (July 16, 2025) as dignitaries from all walks of life converged on the institution’s expansive Auditorium to celebrate with 65 distinguished individuals and groups who were conferred with various awards by the University at  an event that marked the formal commencement of its Golden Jubilee celebration.

The icing on the cake of the glamorous event was the donation of a whopping sum of ₦600,000,000 to the University by three of the honourees.

Two of the honourees, Dr Tunji Olowolafe and Dr Murtadha Adeniji, were given “Award of Excellence”, ten earned the  “Distinguished Alumni Award” while 50 others were inaugurated as “Unilorin Ambassadors”.

Those conferred with the “Distinguished Alumni Award” are: the eighth Vice Chancellor of the University and Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Emeritus Is’haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON; the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Temidayo Oladiji; a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd., Mr Babatunde Omotowa; prominent Accountant, Dr Abdulwahab Adebayo (AWA) Ibrahim; a former CBN Deputy Governor, Dr Sarah Omotunde Alade; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Services, Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap; the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah; the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Prof. David Durosaro; and Justice Asmau Tanwa Akanbi of the Benin Division of the Court  of  Appeal.

On the list of “Unilorin Ambassadors” are: Mr Adedeji Sarafadeen Abdulkadir, SAN, Chief Rafiu Oyeyemi Balogun, SAN, Dr Umar Oseni, Dr Adekumbi Omotosho, Jimoh Julius Olorunfemi, Dr Ebun L. Bamigboye, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, Dr Justus Adebanjo Adeleke, Dr Mutiu Olaleke Agboke, Dr Olatunde Adekola, and Dr Taiye Ayotunde Oniyide, SAN.

Others include the Managing Director of Thisday Newspaper, Mr Eniola Bello; the Director of Current Affairs of Television Continental (TVC), Mr Babajide Kolade-Otitoju; the Political Editor of Channels Television, Mr Seun Okinbaloye; a renowned Nollywood actor, Mr Femi Adebayo, Esq; Grace Abikoye, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, HRM Oba Ismail Bolaji Yahaya Muhammed; the Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesha, HRM Oba Michael Ajayi; Arisekola Tunde Muritala, Lukman Oyebanji Fagbemi, SAN, and Lukman Shobowale.

Also on the list are the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), University of Ilorin, Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; Mallam Abdufatai Bello, Mr Bolaji Elelu, Ismail Eleburuike, Oluwole Abegunde, Tony Edeh, Musty Omotosho Mustapha, Olaolu Akintunde, SAN, Olaolu Owolabi, SAN, Olawole Olarewaju Obasunloye, Oluwole Ololade Adeosun, Oyetola Muyiwa Atoyebi, SAN, and Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN.

Others include the National President of the University of Ilorin Alumni Association, Prof. Abdulrazak Olubusuyi Kilani; a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Adedayo Yusuf Abdulkareem; Prof. Babatunde Rabiu, FAS, the Vice Chancellor of Ojaja University, Eiyenkorin, Ilorin, Prof. Jeleel Olasunkanmi Ojuade; Prof. Kene Igweonu, the Vice Chancellor of African School of Economics, Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adebola Adedimeji; the Vice Chancellor of Muhammed Kamalud-Deen University, Ilorin, Prof. Rasheed Gbenga Jimoh; and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology, The Gambia. Prof. Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde.

Others are Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, Prof. Rhoda Olape Oduwaiye, Prof. Yemi Oke, SAN, Rotimi Iseoluwa Oyedepo, SAN, Wisdom Gabriel Odusanya, Yemi Balogun, SAN, Engr. (Dr.) Abosede Abiola Bello, and Yemi Ayodele Ayeni.

Also honoured were the 1984 Medical Graduates, the 1992 Agric Graduates, and the 2003 Alumni of the Accounting and Finance Departments.

Welcoming guests to the event, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, said that the event was specifically put together by the University to honour eminent dignitaries, particularly alumni and friends of the institution whose lives and careers had intertwined with the University and have consistently made it proud over the years.

Prof. Egbewole explained that the honourees were nominated by various Faculties in appreciation of their contributions, saying that since “one good turn deserves another”, the University decided to honour them for their past and anticipated contributions to the progress of the University.

The Vice Chancellor, who is also the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), said, “These individuals have consistently demonstrated loyalty to the values of our University and have given back meaningfully whether through mentorship, resources, or collaboration”.

He specifically singled out Dr Tunji Olowolafe, a 1984 graduate of the University’s College of Health Sciences, whose recent contributions to the University are worth more than ₦250,000,000; and Dr Murtadha Adeniji, who, though is not an alumnus of the University, has been an outstanding and generous friend of the University with so many enduring and impactful contributions.

The Vice Chancellor, who is also the Chairman of the Consortium of Kwara Universities (Ku8+), urged the honourees to continue to make the University proud as its shinning ambassadors.

               Prof. Egbewole added that the upcoming anniversary celebration would be used to unveil three legacy projects, the Transcript Hub and Innovation Hub, the Techno and Industrial Park and the Centre for Stem Cell Research.

               Also speaking, Ilorin-based legal icon, Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, charged the award recipients to continue to show acts of generosity.

               Prof. Ali, who was the Guest Speaker at the event, said that philanthropy is not only a positive social act but also a religious duty that is encouraged by both Christianity and Islam.

               Responding on behalf of the honourees, Prof. Emeritus Oloyede thanked the University for considering them worthy of being honoured.

               He commended the Vice Chancellor for his creativity, adding that Prof. Egbewole has been doing things differently and in a dignified manner.

               Prof. Oloyede who is also the Kuliyan Sokoto,  promised that he and his colleagues would continue to offer their best for the University, the nation and humanity at large.

               The highlight of the event was the raising of ₦600,000,000 from three of the honourees, Dr Murtadha Adeniji and Dr Tunji Olowolafe, who donated ₦250, 000, 000 each, while Dr AWA Ibrahim donated ₦100,000,000 on behalf of himself and nine other distinguished alumni.