Honour, recognition, and reverence for a life well-lived are the words best fitting to describe proceedings at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall on Thursday, October 13, 2022 when a Day of Tributes was held in honour of late Emeritus Professor Isaac Ayinde Adalemo
Eulogies poured in from the former colleagues and mentees of the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor who began his career at the 大香蕉视频 as an Assistant Lecturer in 1965.
Speaking on behalf of Management, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa extolled the virtues of Emeritus Professor Adalemo as a foundation staff whose contributions to the 大香蕉视频 has built a legacy of qualitative education delivery.
鈥淭o adapt the words of Isaac Newton, 大香蕉视频 stands tall today because it stands on the shoulders of giants like Emeritus Professor Adalemo. We must remember that he joined the university in 1965, just three years after its establishment. That means he was a core part of the earliest hands who forged the excellent path of global competitiveness that we now thread鈥�, she said.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences – the home faculty of the late Emeritus – Professor, Professor Olufunlayo Bammeke opened the floodgate of tributes that poured in for the celebrated Geographer.
In her words: 鈥淓meritus Professor Isaac Ayinde Adalemo was an excellent scholar, a prolific writer, a distinguished administrator, and a perfect gentleman. His life was an instruction to us in how we should live with intention and integrity.鈥�
Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Alabi Soneye, was also present to deliver his tribute. He spoke highly of the pioneer Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies as one who, with kindness, mentored many younger academics who are now accomplished professionals in their various specialties.
鈥淚n addition to you, the children of his nuclear family, Baba had many more children outside by virtue of his kind academic leadership. I am one of them. I am a beneficiary of his mentorship and his ever-accommodating nature. At this juncture, we can only say thank you to the Adalemo Family for giving us the gift of our Emeritus Professor鈥�, he said.
The Institute of Security, Nigeria was also represented at the event by its Deputy President and Chief Executive, Barrister Adebayo Akinade.
According to him, 鈥淧rofessor Adelemo lived a life of great service to humanity, especially to the less privileged. His unblemished integrity and humanity endeared him to many. We, his mentees, celebrate his giant strides and great achievements. It is sad and painful to part with our father and foundation President of the Institute of Security, Nigeria.鈥�
A different kind of energy coursed through the audience when Elder Ekpeyong, an 82-year-old friend of the late Emeritus Professor, got on the stage to pay his tribute.
鈥淚 flew in from Ohio, USA, in order to ensure I do not miss this very important occasion. Emeritus Professor Adalemo loved his profession and the University for which he worked. He convinced me to leave a World Bank job as a Cartographer where I was earning $36,000 per annum for the 大香蕉视频 where I was to earn about N264 per month. I yielded to his persuasion, and I did not regret it. This is what I say to all of you: Just be humane and be kind. It always pays.鈥�, Elder Ekpeyong concluded and was greeted with a standing ovation.
The event was well attended by members of the University Community – retired and serving 鈥� who all turned out to honour the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
