Campus News

Encomiums, as VC, others celebrate Omotoso as he retires at 70

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has joined well-wishers, including the University Principal Officers, Council Members, Senate Members, mentees, and associates of Prof. Ayodele Babatunde O. Omotoso, to celebrate the distinguished academic and researcher as he retired from the services of the University, having attained age 70.  

               At a reception organised for the renowned cardiovascular health and hypertension expert by his trainees and associates last Tuesday (January 21, 2025), the Vice Chancellor praised Prof. Omotoso for his passion, dedication, humility, and hard work, and urged everyone to emulate these qualities in their respective professions.

               Prof. Egbewole said, “There was a time when the University came back to him to serve as Dean. Ordinarily, the position of Dean is belittling for someone who had served as Provost, but because of his love for the system, he agreed. And that is one of the things I want us to learn from him. Since becoming Vice Chancellor, he has always regarded and respected me because of the office that I occupy. What that teaches is humility par excellence. Because whatever you are, you must recognise authority, and that is what Prof. Omotoso symbolises and preaches”.

While reflecting on his personal connection with Prof. Omotoso, the Vice Chancellor said, “My being here today is divine. Whether I am Vice Chancellor or not, I would still be here because of my deep connection with my brother, mentor, and advisor. Prof. Omotoso is a supporter of positive values, and for those who have worked with him, I pray that God continues to honour you”.

Describing Prof. Omotoso as “a wonderful human being”, Prof. Egbewole highlighted his calm demeanor and thoughtful contributions during meetings. He said, “When he joins a discussion, everyone in the room is sure to agree with him. He is an encyclopedia of knowledge, always remembering dates, circumstances, and intricate details from past meetings”.

In his tribute, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology, and Innovation), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, who is also the President of ILUMSA Alumni Association Worldwide, said his first encounter with Prof. Omotoso was in 1982 as a medical student. He said Prof. Omotoso, who was a young and brilliant teacher, taught him prescriptions in medicine, and since then, he has developed a love for him because the honouree made what seemed difficult at that time very simple.

Prof. Fawole described his retired teacher as “friendly, a good listener, and someone with a good and gentle smile”, adding that “Prof. Omotoso handles his patients with such gentility, worthy of emulation.”

The Deputy Vice Chancellor said that Prof. Omotoso demonstrated passion and thoroughness, adding that he is “a versatile administrator, a team player, who believes in inclusiveness with everyone partaking as stakeholders and contributing meaningfully with wise cracks, jokes and proverbs to make you say something. I held up my hands and he has led me on since, through the years, for this I am forever grateful”.

As a social scientist, Prof. Fawole said Prof. Omotoso understands human behavior. “He walked us through the challenges of administration. He broke into administration with his appointment as the CMAC during the era of Prof. Olurotimi Omoniyi Fakeye (my main mentor), and from then on, he reached higher grounds through experience and commitment, most probably from native intelligence. Native intelligence can be acquired (abiso) or genetic (abimo). In the case of Prof. Omotoso, it is abimo. May you continue to enjoy the goodness and mercies of God.”

On his part, a former Member of the Governing Council of the University of Ilorin and past Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof. Bababode James Bojuwoye, praised Prof. Omotoso for his firm commitment to the University of Ilorin and to Nigeria. Prof. Bojuwoye stated that although Prof. Omotoso had opportunities to leave the country for greener pastures, he chose to remain in Nigeria, specifically at the University of Ilorin, due to his deep love for the institution, the university community, and his concern for the health needs of Nigerians.

While acknowledging that Prof. Omotoso had played a pivotal role in the advancement of the College of Health Sciences, by bringing innovative ideas and expertise that helped propel the College forward, the retired medical practitioner, academia, and administrator further expressed appreciation for Prof. Omotoso’s loyalty to the University and his exceptional critical thinking skills.

Welcoming Prof. Omotoso into the fold of retirees, Prof. Bojuwoye congratulated him, noting that although Prof. Omotoso’s formal tenure had come to an end, his legacy would continue to inspire future generations at the University and beyond.

In his tribute, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Abdullahi Dasliva Yussuf, who spoke through the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Sulyman Biodun Alabi, lauded the honouree for his exceptional contributions to both the medical and academic communities.

The CMD described Prof. Omotoso as a master strategist with an unparalleled attention to detail, emphasising his significant role as an outstanding administrator in the medical school and across Nigeria’s academic landscape.

In his response, Prof. Omotoso expressed gratitude to everyone for their kind words and love for him and his family. He thanked his trainees for being wonderful students. He also thanked the staff of the University of Ilorin, the College of Health Sciences, and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), as well as the managements of these institutions for the trust and opportunity given him to serve in various capacities.

The honouree used the occasion to request that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Egbewole help him express his appreciation to his predecessors, Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede and Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, for their support for the College. “The University authority gave us the freedom to construct the clinical building, which we supervised ourselves. Prof. Oloyede approved the construction of the project, and when Prof. Ambali assumed office, he supported the project and supplied the funding. The project has continued to yield dividends. TETFund has recommended that other medical schools come and see the wonders happening here. This is truly fulfilling,” he stated.

Prof. Omotoso stated that he was retiring with joy and a sense of fulfillment, knowing that the Medical School of the University of Ilorin, with which he has been involved for over 40 years, has made significant contributions to manpower development in Nigeria.

He said, “Three months ago, I was in Abuja for an assignment with the Federal Ministry of Health. At that event, I met some alumni of the College. One of them is now a permanent secretary, while another one is a director in the ministry. They spent several minutes talking about how the medical school at the University of Ilorin shaped their careers. We are already reaping the fruits of being teachers”.

While urging the students of the College of Health Sciences to uphold the values of the Institution, the former Provost urged them to behave well. He said that the University of Ilorin is known for excellence, and the students are not just being trained to become doctors but to excel in both character and learning.

Reflecting on his personal journey, the Oluomo 1 of Ijurin-Ekiti in Ekiti State said, “If I had not gone into Medicine, perhaps I would have studied History or Law. I did History with all modesty in secondary school, and it turned out to be my best subject with an A1. History is part of me because you can’t know or plan for the future if you don’t understand where you are coming from. It is even good that the Federal Government has brought back History in our schools. Wherever you go, always remember the University of Ilorin.”

Prof. Omotoso, who applauded his family for their unwavering love and support, said UNILORIN will forever hold a special place in their hearts. “I have children at the University of Ilorin. I started with three, which has now grown to six, and eight more have been added, with more on the way. This means that the University of Ilorin has a special bond with our family. We thank the University for giving us the opportunity to educate our children, from primary school to Unilorin Secondary School and finally, to the University of Ilorin for their higher education. In our house, we talk Unilorin, we eat Unilorin, and we enjoy being better by far. Thank you for this great honour,” he concluded.

Others who spoke at the event were the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho; the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali; the Registrar of the University, Mr. Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the Bursar, Mr Abiodun Lawal; and the University Librarian, Dr Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa; among others.