Amosun, Oba Olugbenle, Others Eulogise Prof. Rahamon Bello’s Virtues

BY ABU-SATAR HAMED & PROF. POPOOLA
The Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has described the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Adisa Bello as a pride of, not only Yewaland, but Ogun State and Nigeria in general.
Gov. Amosun who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Tolu Odebiyi made this statement on Monday October 23, 2017 at the official launch of a book, titled ‘‘Walking The Vision’’ in honour of Prof. Bello.
Amosun said that Prof. Bello had contributed immensely to the development of UNILAG, saying, ‘‘The Godfearing academician had successfully guaranteed peace on the campus till it lasted. ”
In his own speech the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Wale Babalakin congratulates Prof. Bello for the glorious tenure at the University, saying, ‘‘Prof. Bello is an enigma whose tenure was hinged on sound concepts of individual and collective responsibility which apparently account for the zero cases of intrigues, controversies, machinations and rivalry witnessed throughout his tenure of office.
Babalakin noted that Prof. Bello is indeed an archiver who built an enduring enabling environment at the institution which place UNILAG on the world map of one of the peaceful and academic excellence on earth.
The Olu Ilaro & Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole who is also the Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Traditional Rulers shower encomium on Prof. Rahamon Adisa Bello, the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos for his milda touch that resulted in the astromical growth in all aspects of the University life..
Oba Olugbenle, the first class monarch said;’‘I want to on behalf of the Yewa Traditional Council and the entire people of Ogun West commend our son for a successful tenure at one of the reputable tertiary institutions in Nigeria. We thank God for His mercy and protection over him and family and we are indeed very proud of him.’’
While reviewing the book, Prof. Nimi Briggs described the ‘‘Walking The Vision” as a compendium of Prof. Bello’s day-to-day running of UNILAG, laced with midas touch of keeping the university community as one big family that lived without any rancor or disunity.
Prof. Briggs commended those he described as ‘‘The 5 Wise Men’’ that wrote the 326 pages, according to them ‘‘Bello Years, highliting the key points of the system of administration adopted by Prof. Rahamon Adisa Bello, 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos and how this system has resulted in an astromical growth in all aspects of the University life.
They continued,‘The book which is divided into eight chapters, touches on all aspects of UNILAG in the 5years (2012-2017) when Prof. Bello served as Vice-Chancellor. Candidly, within this period the University arguably consolidated its position as ‘‘The University of First Choice and the Nation’s Pride
Among other people who spoke on Prof. Bello at the event include Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd), former Military Governor of Old Oyo State, Commander, ECOMOG in Liberia and Civilian Administrator of Ekiti State describe Prof. Bello as an academia of international repute and a pride of, not only Yewaland where he (Prof. Bello) came from, butt Ogun State and Nigeria at large..
Chief (Engr.) Femi Tetede, Acting President of Yewa Metropolitan Club Ilaro, a club Prof. Bello is also a member said, ‘‘the celebrant is an erudite scholar, cool and collected gentleman who brought these qualities to bear on the success of his five years reign at UNILAG.’’
Also addressing the gathering Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, fondly called Yayi representing Lagos West Federal Constituency at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly described Prof. Bello as an academician with sound intellect that made his tenure witnessed various infrastructural and academical development in the institution.
‘‘I want to use this forum to commend Prof. Bello for all his achievements during his tenure and pray to God to continue to guide and protect him and family all the days of their lives,’’ he posited.
In his appreciation, Prof. Bello thanked God for the opportunity giving him to successfully oversee one of the outstanding tertiary institutions in Nigeria and His protection over him and family.
‘‘I want to also express my gratitude to members of the Board and management of UNILAG, and also to the responsible students of the University for their adherence to the rules and regulations of the institution during his tenure. I can’t thank the University community enough for your unflinching supports that earn the institution a glorious tenure,’’ he enthused.
Prof. Bello eulogise Senator Adeola Olamilekan for the support he and his colleagues gave his team when they were called upon at the Senate to defend an issue. He recalled that Senator who was the Chairman of the Committee that invited him and his team gave UNILAG institution a fair hearing and will forever be grateful to him.
Prof. Bello further re-echo the need to give Federal tertiary institutions financial autonomy, this according to him will also provide a lasting solution to the problem of funding and frequent crisis in the Universities across the country.
Authors of the book are Prof. Lucian Obinna Chikwu, Dr. (Mrs.)Taiwo E. Ipaye, Prof. Chindi Maduagwu, Prof. Abigail Ogweezy Ndisika and Dr. Obi Iwuagwu
The Ade Ajayi Auditorium, venue of the event on the campus was filled to the brim by crème of the society. They include Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Oba Akintayo of Ijebu-Imushin, Barr.Wale Babalakin and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe.
Others are Chief (Dr,) Sunny Kuku, Gen. Adetunji Olurin, Chief (Engr.) Femi Tetede, Prof. Tope Popoola, Mr. Lekan Asuni, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Oba Oni the Olu of Imasai-Yewa, Elhadj AbuSatar Hamed, many Professors, Drs, academicians and captain of industries.

About Idowu Hamed

Publisher and Editor in Chief - Magazine and Online Email: startrendinter@gmail.com