Yesterday was a HUMBLING day indeed for me as I had the rare, very rare privilege to host in audience three global Presidents of our alma mata, the great Ekiti State University, two past and the incumbent of an institution that gave me the opportunity of being called a graduate, from where I was certified to proceed to the wide, wild world, having satisfied the institution in character and learning.
This was a product of a sojourn from 1984-1989, that ended with a honours Bachelor of Science degree in Geology.
Starting out in 1983 under the very amiable first Vice Chancellor, Professor Ifedayo Oladapo of the then Obafemi Awolowo University, Ado Ekiti, our first administrative block was given by the late Odoba of Ado Ekiti, Chief Ajayi, while our lectures as science students started from the Harding block of Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti.
We had the privilege and benefit of combined and collegiate academic exposure and training from an extensive array of the best lecturers from University of Ife, Ibadan and even all the way to University of Calabar !
That institution gave other older Universities a run for all the could ever parade from accolades in quality education, research, academic excellence to social relevance.
The chequered history of the institution has been defined by uncommon vision and dedication by the administrators and government from day one under the pioneer Visitor, in person of Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin to this day under Governor #Biodun #Oyebanji who has in two years invested more time, efforts, personal attention and state resources like no other administration before it.
The results? The University has continued to grow in leaps and bounds in tangible relevance from gown to town.
Suffice to say that our transitions from the names at inception from Obafemi Awolowo University to Ondo State University [OSUA] to University of Ado Ekiti [UNAD] and to today’s EKSU has only enriched our history and historical trajectory and has not dimmed the standing, profile and significance of the institution as to be attested to by the quality of the old students, the boys and girls back then, have grown, transformed and matured into responsible adults in our society stamping their marks on national and international scale and dimensions.
The institution has produced an Ex boy Governor in the person of the present Governor of Ekiti State in Biodun Oyebanji,my set, many parliamentarians, Distinguished Academics, Business Moguls, Academics, Traditional rulers, Men of God, and a lot more.
Today we are privilege to have these beautiful array and assembly of alumni doing the institution proud across all works of life.
We have seen the involvement of these alumni and the body in the transformation of the institution, and today the university owes a lot to the alumni body formed by men of great vision and dreams.
It is noteworthy to say that, the history of the alumni body has not always been smooth but whatever challenges that may have occurred since inception till this day had been surmounted and drowned by the determination of men and women who have held on to the objectives of making our institution greater than tge way we met it as it is today and history will surely be kind to them for the roles they played, starting from Mr Kole Ajayi of blessed memory, Wale Jegede, Otunba Oludotun Adetuberu and the immediate past global President in person of Engr Dipo Bamisaye who is a rare specie in the stock of men indeed to whose credit is the further consolidation and stabilisation of the alumni body after succeeding Otunba Oludotun Adetuberu.
It must be acknowledged that, the combination of the years of Adetuberu and Bamisaye will safely pass as the golden years of the alumni body granted their dizzing accomplishments and value addition not only to the institution but the reputation and profile of all old students.
It is therefore a refreshing reality to know that the baton of the alumni body has recently been passed to another bright young man, a cosmopolitan and urbane minded young man with fiery inbuilt capacity, vision and passion for growth and development.
I can say without any fear of contradiction that the alumni body is set for a new level in growth, impact, relevance, significance with regard to development moreso going by his long history and uncommon relational capabilities.
Without doubt, the new global President in person of Mr Seyi Idowu’s tenure promises a future of pride for the institution and the alumni body.
So when the Global President Emeritus, in person of Engr. Dipo Bamisaye hinted me of the imminent visit of the mint fresh newly elected President to the Federal Capital Territory, and would like us to meet, I was more than glad to receive him over lunch, what the very calm and amiable Emeritus President did not tell me was that I will have the rare honour to host not only himself and his successor, but also the presence of another President in person of my dear brother, the man i call “the bull” for his bulldozing efforts to achieve the results he did, when he was the head of the alumni body, in person of Otunba Oludotun Adetuberu, and for additional effect and flavour was the presence of distinguished leadership of the Abuja chapter of the Alumni body.
Men, when i saw the entourage, it was indeed Presidential !
I had Never had the privilege of hosting three Presidents and these distinguished delegation of successful men and women in tow.
This was indeed a HUMBLING visit for me, who am i? To be honoured with the visit of three Presidents and this delegation? “Me like this”?
If i were holding a political appointment or were to be in government or occupying any position of power and means, i would have said it was probably because of the enhanced profile and political standing.
But neither, yet to be so considered for this visit, i am overwhelmed. This speaks to the character of these eminent gentlemen and lady.
It is not common in this clime to be acknowledged and so recognised outside of the power vortext!
But the bigger surprise that was afoot and shattering came after our exchange of pleasantries and discussions about the shared vision for the institution and by extension the alumni body, the new President then proceeded to announce my nomination into the soon to the innaugurated and institutionalised EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY HALL OF FAME !
Waoh! Me like this ? Who i be ? A non descript man in my own little corner!
He alluded to the very kind preamble and salutory introductions from the Global President Emeritus about my little contributions to the society and modest roles as a parliamentarian, etc which further humbled me.
The nomination letter was handed over and i am made to understand that i will be joining the other nominees for the formal event later in the year.
The nomination letter and the box that contained the notification plaque was presented in the presence of the entire delegation of the eminent personalities from the Abuja chapter.
I was doubly overwhelmed 😪 to have been so considered even from and within my lowly estate.
I responded with my effusive gratitude and profound appreciation to the visitors, of these calibre and stature of personalities, all of whom parade impressively drowning credentials in their own rights and for the honour of the nomination.
I certainly do not take it lightly at all to have been so considered for this recognition.
I proceeded to reaffirm my renewed commitment to the University and the alumni body in any area where i have the opportunity to add value and to work with others to ensure that the lofty dreams of the present Global President, Mr. Seyi Urban Idowu are accomplished and that his tenure will also witness huge accomplishments.
Once again I want to express my PROFOUND GRATITUDE to these August visitors, starting with my dear brother, “Eni bi eni” Otunba Dotun Adetuberu, to “Supremely Omoluabi” Global President Emeritus Dipo Bamisaye, and of course our Satorially pleasant, amiable, warm and deeply intuitive brand new Global President, Mr Seyi Idowu, of course for special mention will be the all the members on this President’s entourage, the indefatigable leaders of the Abuja Chapter of EKSU Alumni, to you all I offer my deepest gratitude for this honour of your visit.
Surely you have light another candle 🕯 that will bring further illumination to the path of many in our journey to a more impactful relevance for us as individuals and corporately as alumni body and by extension our beloved institution.
Long live #EKSU #Alumni
Long Live #Ekiti #State #University.
Thank you So Much Sirs.
Respectfully Yours, Now and Always
#Congressman #Bimbo #Daramola