Egbewole, others hail Abdulkareem, as ex-VC clocks 70
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has congratulated his immediate past predecessor in office, Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, on his 70th birthday and formal retirement from the services of the University.
Prof. Egbewole also described the former Vice Chancellor as an astute academic, prolific researcher and notable University administrator.
He stated this last Friday (January 19, 2023) while making his remarks at the public presentation of a Feschrifts published to mark the 70th birthday of Prof Abulkareem, entitled “Material Development for Sustainable Development in the Contemporary Time”.
Speaking further, the renowned legal luminary described his predecessor as a man of service, saying that the Nigerian University system needed the wisdom and insight of Prof Abdulkareem.
Prof. Egbewole, who is also the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), appreciated the dedication and passion of Prof. Abdulkareem .
In his welcome address, a former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. D.S. Ogunniyi, recalled that the Department of Chemical Engineering started with Prof. Omodele Eleta, Prof Sulyman Age Abdulkareem and himself as pioneer staff.
He recalled that they were moved from the Department of Industrial Chemistry, saying that Prof. Abdulkareem had been instrumental to the development of the Department through his exceptional industry and passion.
Prof. Ogunniyi also recalled that the former Vice Chancellor supported all Departments in the University when they were facing accreditation, particularly during his tenure as the Chief Executive of the University.
In her introduction of the celebrant, Prof Omodele Eleta described Prof. Abdulkareem as a mentor who challenged her with a number of responsibilities.
Reviewing the Festschrift, Prof. Ogundele noted that human activities have made the world continuously more complex hence the need for many of the 17 United Nations Development Goals.
He noted that while most of the chapters in the book are academic in their focus, some other chapters discuss the personality of Prof. Abdulkareem.
Prof. Ogundele described the honouree as integrity personified and a hardworking scholar whose contributions to the growth and development of scholarship, especially in the realm of Chemical Engineering, would continue to be celebrated.
The event, which attracted the crème dela crème of the society, was attended by Principal Officers of the University of Ilorin who served in the administration of Prof. Abdulkareem including Prof. Bolaji Fatai Sule, Prof Mikail Buhari, and Dr Folaranmi Modupe Olowoleni.
Also in attendance were current Principal Officers of the University including the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services) Prof Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Abayomi Olubunmi Omotesho and the founder of Al Hikmah University, Ilorin, Alhaji AbdulRaheem Oladimeji. Also in attendance were the current Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof Noah Yusuf; a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof Lateef Oladimeji,among others.