COMMENTARY
UNILORIN FM Radio – 50 Days, 50 Voices: The Grand Countdown to Unilorin @ 50
From the crack of dawn on the first day of a meticulously planned 50‑day countdown, UNILORIN 89.3 FM launched its historic marathon, “Echoes of Excellence” — tagged Countdown to Unilorin @50 — a daily live feature that, for seven weeks, brought the University’s five‑decade journey to life. Under the stewardship of ace broadcaster Idris Alooma, the General Manager of UNILORIN FM, the radio station turned its studios into a vibrant amphitheatre where town met gown, and the echoes of 50 distinguished guests reverberated across Nigeria and beyond.
The countdown was stamped and endorsed by the man at the helm of destiny, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin. A former Chairman of NBA‑Ilorin, former Secretary General of ASUU, Unilorin, former Chairman of ASUU, Unilorin, Secretary General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), Vice President (Western Africa) of the Association of African Universities, and Chairman of the KU8+ Consortium, Prof. Egbewole delivered an electrifying address that traced the University’s humble genesis in 1975 to its present status as a multi‑faculty citadel of over 50,000 students. He announced the ambitious ₦50 billion Endowment Fund, a cornerstone project to fund scholarships, research chairs, and world‑class infrastructure.
Chairman of the Unilorin at 50th Anniversary Committee, Prof. Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokuolu, detailed the strategic roadmap — smart‑campus initiatives, heritage projects, and community outreach — setting the stage for a celebration that would be both grand and inclusive.
All the Principal Officers of the University — Prof. Taibat Odunola‑Bakare, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic); Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services); Prof. Mukhtar Adeiza Etudaiye, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology & Innovation); Mr. Monsur Adeleke Alfanla, Registrar; Mr. Abiodun Lawal, Bursar; and Prof. Kamaldeen Babatunde Omopupa, University Librarian — all highlighted the robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, painting a picture of an institution that balances academic rigour with social responsibility and digitisation of Registry services
Former Vice Chancellors, Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, and Prof. Suleiman Age Abdulkareem, shared nostalgic anecdotes of the early years, recalling the transition from temporary sheds to iconic lecture halls, and praised the current leadership for turning vision into visible monuments such as the Innovation Hub and Smart‑Campus Infrastructure.
Alumnus and current Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics (the Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, who doubles as the Chairman of the UNILORIN Bulletin Editorial Board and Prof. Jeleel Olasunkanmi Ojuade, the Vice Chancellor of Ojaja University, who also doubles as the Chairman of UNILORIN FM Radio Board, highlighted the ripple effects of UNILORIN’s education across Africa. They narrated how their scholarships at the University propelled them to pioneer economic research impacting several West African nations, underscoring the University’s impact beyond Nigerian borders.
The Director of the UNILORIN Advancement Centre, Prof. Waheed Babatunde Yahya, unveiled the Town‑Gown Unity Fund, a partnership with local government and traditional leaders to fund health clinics and youth skill centres. He emphasised, “When the University thrives, Ilorin thrives,” capturing the symbiotic relationship that defines UNILORIN’s growth.
The Chairman of the Unilorin Alumni Association (Unilorin Branch), Prof. B. L. Adeleke, recounted historic milestones, from the first graduating class of 1980 to the recent Gold Medal Parade, lauding UNILORIN FM’s role in preserving the University’s living legacy.
Community stalwarts such as Erelu Bisi Fayemi, former First Lady of Ondo State, and Alhaji Garuba Beki, former Provost of the College of Nursing, Ilorin, narrated personal anecdotes of mentorship and collaborative projects — from free medical camps to scholarship drives — that cemented the University’s reputation as a caring citadel.
The marathon continued with a kaleidoscope of voices: Prof. Abayomi Omotesho, former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic); Prof. Saudat Sallah Abdulbaqi, Dean, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences (the first female Professor of Mass Communication in North‑Central Nigeria); Prof. Ibrahim Abdulganiyu Jawondo, Dean, Faculty of Arts; Dr. Alex Akanmu, Dean of Student Affairs and Chairman, ASUU Unilorin Chapter; Mr. Naheem Olusola Falowo, Chairman, SSANU; Mr. Paul Awolola, Chairman, NAAT; Mr. Ibrahim Suberu, Chairman, NASU; and Mr. M T Balogun, former Registrar Unilorin.
The great community leader Alhaji Abdulmumin Ayo Abdumalik, President, IEDPU; Dr. Aliy Abdulwahid Adebisi, Director, Centre for Translation & Arts; Mrs. Adejoke Yewande Oluwajobi, Registrar, National Institute Of Translation and Interpretation (NITI); Mr. Adelu Ayomo Idris, Student Union President; Prof. Patricia Omojasola, Director, Centre for Gender Studies; Prof. Nasir AbdusSalam, Chief Imam (represented by Prof. Lukman Adeshina Azeez); Mr. Ayobami Moshood, fan from Kilanko; Dr. Usman Akanbi, President, ANA; Rev. Kayode Osaji (Chapel of Light); Rev Father Celestine Emah, St. Thomas Aquinas; Dr. Samiat Abubakre, Department of Linguistics & Nigerian Languages and member of the radio board; Prof. Kamilu Raufu, Director, CBT; Sheikh Ismail Abdulsalam, President, of the Oke‑Ode Grammar School Old students’ Association.
Also, Prof. Olorunfemi, the man who amazingly renamed Unilorin as “Better by Far”; Mr. Ramoni Amao, Director of Works; Dr. O T Okewande, Linguistics; Prof Abdulganiyu Giwa, Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dr. Atunwa Soliu Abiola from Pharmacy; Mariam Bello Oreoluwa & crew, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Prof. Mrs Oluwakemi Abikoye Computer Science Department and Chairman Publicity Sub Committee of the anniversary ; Mr. Jide Ibrahim, the producer of Son of Iron movie the Anniversary play and his team; Mr. Emmanuel Olarewaju a fan of the station ; Prof. Jacob Oladiipo Ajiboye, an Alumnus and UNILAG lecturer; Dr. Bisi Oyewole, former Director, Kwara State Arts Council, also an Alumnus
Each episode was peppered with nostalgic music from the 1975‑1990 era, archival audio clips of Vice Chancellors’ speeches, and fascinating music of appreciation to God Almighty.
Kudos to the UNILORIN FM team for their outstanding work! Apart from conducting real interviews, the majority of the personalities’ stories were also featured in the Unilorin FM news, special news commentary, and UNILORIN Bulletin. A big shout-out to the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun; the Deputy Editor, Mr. Imam Abubakar; Mr. Temitope Olawuyi (Head of Programmes); Mrs. Temitope Folorunso (Head of News); and the entire crew for a job fantastically done!
During the 50‑year anniversary celebrations, the visionary Vice Chancellor Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, inaugurated the ₦50 billion Endowment Fund, unveiled the Innovation Hub, Transcript Hub, among other milestones.
UNILORIN stands tall as a true giant of knowledge, its legacy etched in research breakthroughs, thousands of alumni leaders, and the indelible impact on Ilorin and Nigeria. Hearty applause to the visionary leadership of Prof. Egbewole, for providing an enabling environment, and to the brilliant UNILORIN FM team, for turning a simple countdown into an unforgettable celebration that will echo for life.
Long live Unilorin @ 50! Long live UNILORIN FM!
