The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has urged the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Abdulquadir Ibrahim Abikan, to focus his total attention on quality service delivery to the nation in order to justify his appointment.

Prof. Egbewole gave this admonition penultimate Sunday (February 16, 2025) while speaking at a reception organised in honour of Prof. Abikan by a prominent Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, at his Adewole Housing, Ilorin residence.

He added that Prof. Abikan must discharge his services with absolute dedication and unwavering professionalism so that he could be worthy of being celebrated at the end of his tenure.

The Vice Chancellor said that public positions are trusts and that holders of such positions must always know that they are appointed to deliver services and not for any form of personal aggrandisement.

Prof. Egbewole, who was the Chairman of the occasion, urged Prof. Abikan to start well by putting Allah first and above every other thing.

He also urged Prof. Abikan, who is a former Ag. Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Director, School of Preliminary Studies, University of Ilorin, to develop thick skin, saying that he must learn how to withstand and overcome pressure from family and friends as well as other members of the public, who may want him to do one thing or the other for them, many of which may be beyond his capacity.

Prof. Egbewole also reminded the relations and friends of the Director-General that Prof. Abikan remains a salary earner and someone who no longer has the privilege of getting extra stipends from private practice.

The Vice Chancellor, nevertheless, urged Prof. Abikan to always use the privilege of his offices to offer assistance to people who may approach him for one form of support or the other.

In his remarks, the Guest Speaker at the event and a former Deputy Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin, Dr Yusuf Kolawole Jimoh, admonished Prof. Abikan to always be mindful of his humble background.

The cleric-don urged Prof. Abikan to eschew pride and arrogance in his interactions with his subordinates, saying that he must always remember that the position is a trial from the Almighty Allah.

He also urged him to use the position to assist, and not to create problems for others.

Also speaking, Prof. Ali advised Prof. Abikan to emulate the sterling qualities of Prof. Egbewole who has not allowed the paraphernalia of the office he is currently occupying to change him negatively.

Prof. Ali urged Prof. Abikan to ensure that he gives his family, community and the University of Ilorin good representation by being their good ambassador at all times.

Responding, Prof. Abikan thanked the organiser and all those who attended the event for their presence.

He assured his well-wishers that he would not disappoint as he said that he was not unmindful of the huge expectations of all his constituencies. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including a former Dean of the Postgraduate School, University of Ilorin, Prof. Badmas Olanrewaju Yusuf; the Director, Centre for International Education, Prof. Lateef Onireti Ibraheem; the National President of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik; and two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mr Adebayo Adelodun and Mr Kehinde Kolawole Eleja, as well as a Principal Assistant Registrar at the University of Ilorin, Mrs Rasheedat Babamale-Adeta, among several others.