FAMILY, friends and associates of elder statesman and seasoned scholar, Emeritus Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe Wednesday gathered in Ibadan to celebrate the life and times of him at 80.
The occasion was the 80th praise and thanksgiving service for Akinkugbe held at the All Saints' Church, Jericho, Ibadan.
Among the dignitaries were former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd); former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of Interim Government, Ernest Shonekan; Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, Christopher Kolade; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his Ondo State counterpart, Olusegun Mimiko.
Obasanjo, who described Akinkugbe as an achiever and a great success, said, "The celebration is not for the celebrant and the family alone. I am the second celebrant. The history of Nigeria would have been different; the worst would have happened but for the interventions of the likes of Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe and the Almighty God. The economy of the country was down but we were able to overcome the challenge. They helped in saving the situation".
Gowon described Akinkugbe as an epitome of humility and a blessing to humanity. He said, "I celebrate him. He is a man of honour and a pride to Nigeria as a nation".
Ajimobi said the celebrant is an accomplished man, symbol of abundance, grace, blessing, intellectualism, industry, nobility, humility and all round success.
He said: "The celebrant stands for style and did creditably well in Government College, Ibadan. This gathering is intimidating because of the presence of three heads of states here today. We have here two generals and a renowned industrialist".
The Esama of Benin, Gabriel Igbinedion, and Oba Otudeko said he was a simple and well-loved person. Igbinedion said, "He has made a mark as an illustrious personality in the land".
Archbishop of Ibadan Province and Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, (Anglican Communion), Joseph Akinfenwa, who described the celebrant as an enigma, however, lamented the poor state of education in the country, labelling the situation as hopeless.
Akinfenwa particularly decried the state of university education in the country, saying government attitude towards improving the standard of public tertiary institution was regrettable.
He said: "We are not happy about the ongoing ASUU strike in Nigerian universities. The situation of education in the land is lamentable and unacceptable considering the fact that the president and the minister of Education are university persons.
"Unfortunately, earning a degree in Nigeria has become a journey you don't know when it will end".
Extolling the virtues of the celebrant, he said, "God has given you a peculiar insight, your work as a parent and mentor are not ended yet.
"We have seven days in a week so eight means a new beginning for you. You have to be more relevant to people who are looking up to you.
"Akinkugbe has fulfilled his earthly potential. He has led such a productive life. He is a real foreman in terms of quality and quantity. He is a blessing not only to Nigeria but also to humanity.
"He became a professor at 35, Dean of college at 37 and Vice-Chancellor of university at 42".
Vice Chancellor University of Ibadan (UI) Professor Isaac Adewole described the celebrant as an outstanding man.
He said, "We are celebrating a man of many parts, a giant in every respect. He is an outstanding person and he is worth celebrating".
Other dignitaries at the occasion were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Arisekola Alao; Chief Akintola Wiliams, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, former Ekiti State governor, Segun Oni; and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole.
The Guardian