Glitz, Glamour as Oloyede bows out of UNILORIN in style…Sultan names him Kuliyan Sokoto

Dignitaries from all over Nigeria and beyond converged on the Auditorium of the University of Ilorin last Thursday (October 10, 2024) to celebrate a former Vice Chancellor of the University and current Registrar/Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, on his retirement from the services of the University. Speaking at the event, organised by the Consortium of University in Kwara State (KU8+), the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, CFR, described Prof. Oloyede as an exceptional Nigerian patriot and a great scholar who made his marks at the University of Ilorin and JAMB.

The Sultan, who used the occasion to confer the title of Kuliya of Sokoto on Prof. Oloyede, said that he has never been disappointed by the former Vice Chancellor in any way since he met him about two decades ago. While congratulating the erudite Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence on his retirement, the Sultan, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, charged Prof. Oloyede to continue to serve as a role-model to the academics and public servants and even ordinary people across the country and beyond as well as generations to come.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, who is also the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, said that the retirement of the academic giant from the University of Ilorin closes a remarkable chapter in the glorious annals of the University.
Prince Fagbemi added that the life and career of the JAMB’s Chief Executive, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), have been chronicled and would continue to be chronicled because of his numerous achievements. The Justice Minister described Prof. Oloyede as an honest, articulate, kind-hearted, patriotic and intelligent personality who deserves to be celebrated for who he has been and what he has achieved.

Also speaking, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr Mobolaji Victor Olaiya, said that the life and career of Prof. Oloyede have inspired him and would propel him to work towards leaving a worthwhile legacy. The Police Chief, who said that he was very proud of Prof. Oloyede, urged Nigerians never to give up but show resilience as demonstrated in the life of Prof. Oloyede. In his tribute, the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Mr Chris Maiyaki, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of Thomas Adewunmi University, Oko-Irese, Prof. Francisca Oladipo, congratulated Prof. Oloyede on all his achievements at the University of Ilorin and in JAMB.

He said that he was personally happy for Prof. Oloyede as he always made things happen without mishap.
Mr Maiyaki said that all the achievements of Prof. Oloyede stand as a testament to his exemplary personality and his dedication to duties. Earlier in his keynote address, the Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities (AAU), Prof. Olusola Oyewole, described Prof. Oloyede as a great knowledge diplomat who has worked extensively towards promoting learning not only in Nigeria but across the continent. Prof. Oyewole, who previously served as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said that the retired former Vice Chancellor is a detribalised patriot and a man who cares for all without considering any primordial sentiment. The AAU chief remarked that Prof. Oloyede is a special brand who is blessed with the rare blend of intellect, humility, strategic foresight and the man who transformed the University of Ilorin into Nigeria’s most preferred centre of learning.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Project Committee of the event, Prof. Mahfouz Adebola Adedimeji, described Prof. Oloyede as an epitome of talent, discipline and hard work. He added that Prof. Oloyede has devoted his entire life to the provision of quality services to humanity wherever he finds himself.
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, who is also the Chairman of KU8+, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, said that the event confirmed that the only reward for uprightness is goodness. He explained that the former Vice Chancellor was leaving behind an imperishable legacy not only in the University but also in public service and life in general, saying that the University would continue to hold him in high esteem. The highlight of the event was the presentation of two books, “Islamics, Scholarship and Service to Society: A Festschrift for Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede” and “Glimpses into the Giant: A Tapestry of Tributes to Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede at 70”, in honour of Prof. Oloyede.

The two books were reviewed by a former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Prof. Afis Oladosu, who described the books and the event as a recognition, celebration, inspiration and appreciation of the good works of Prof. Oloyede. In his response to the outpouring of tributes, Prof. Oloyede thanked the organisers of the event for a fantastic programme in his honour despite his imperfections.

He also thanked his family, friends, relations and all those who attended the programme for the sacrifices they endured in making sure that they were at the event. Among the dignitaries that attended the event were the Vice Chancellors of the Ku8+ -member universities, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, who was represented by the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Abubakar Akanbi-Jos; the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, who was represented by the Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja; the Governor of Ogun State, Chief Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salis; the Chancellor of the Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Dr J. B. O. Adewunmi; a prominent legal practitioner and Kuliya of Ilorin, Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, as well as serving and past Vice Chancellors and Principal Officers of various universities and senior staff members of JAMB.