THIS WAS THE RESENT POST ON THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS WEBSITE.. on the visitation of Unilag Delegations who payed a condolence visit to Late Professor Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi Family...
An eleven-man delegation of the University of Lagos, on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, paid a condolence visit to the Ibadan, Oyo State family home of the late 3rd Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi who died on Sunday, August 10, 2014.
The delegation which was led by the current Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Rahamon A. Bello, FAEngincluded the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Research), Professor Babajide Alo, FAS; Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Taiwo F, Ipaye, MNIM; Bursar, Mr. Lateef Odekunle; University Librarian, Dr. (Mrs.) Olukemi A. Fadahan, CLN; Directors of the Academic Planning and Quality Assurance & Servicom Units, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and Professor S.A. Okunuga; Dean, Faculty of Art and member of the University’s Governing Council, Professor O. A. Akinyeye and Director of Works & Physical Planning, Dr. A. E. Adeniran.
Speaking during the visit, Professor Rahamon A. Bello, FAEng expressed the condolences of the students, staff and other members of the University of Lagos community. He described the late Professor Jacob Ajayi as a thorough-bred scholar, academic, administrator and historian with immense contributions to tertiary education in Nigeria and beyond.
Professor Bello urged the family of the late historian to celebrate his life and achievements rather than mourn his demise. His words, “Professor Ade Ajayi was a blessing to all universities, particularly the University of Lagos where he was the architect of the modern day UNILAG. His legacies will forever be with us. It was during his era that there was a great turn around in the infrastructural growth and reordering of the University’s academic structure to meet with Nigeria’s modern and future demands. Massive structures such as the new halls of residence (the largest in any University), the Main auditorium, the Faculty of Arts and the three high-rise buildings for staff were constructed and commissioned.
We mourn him with the family, the academic community in the country and the world at large. He is our guiding light but we console ourselves knowing that he has many students and mentees in various universities, faculties and departments of history all over the world that are carrying on his legacies. For us in UNILAG we are ready to play our part to immortalize him.”
While responding on behalf of the family, a member of the Ade Ajayi family and one-time editor of Daily Times, Dipo Ajayi thanked the Vice-Chancellor and his delegation. He described the condolence visit as an acknowledgement and testimony of the unique contributions of Professor Ade Ajayi to the University of Lagos.
Professor Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi is survived by his wife, Christy Aduke Ajayi nee Martins whom he married in 1956, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Born on May 26, 1929, Professor Festus Ade Ajayi began his quest for western education at the St. Paul’s School, Ikole-Ekiti (1934-1939), Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti (1940) and Igbobi College (1941-1946). For his higher education, he moved to Higher College, Yaba (1947); University College, Ibadan (1948, 1949-51), University College, Leicester (1952 – 1955) and University of London (1955 -1958).
The one-time Derby Research Scholar (London University, 1955 - 1957) and Research Fellow, Institute of Historical Research, London (1957 – 1958) began his foray into the academics as Lecturer at the University College, Ibadan in1958. He rose through the ranks to become Professor in October, 1963.
The renowned historian who emerged Vice-Chancellor of this great University in 1972 has his footprints in several parts of Africa and the world as he has delivered a range of papers at the Makerere University and several American Universities such as Wisconsin, North-Western, Columbia, Howard, Princeton, Stanford, Seattle, Washington, U.C. San Diego.writen: Unilag website, Edited By Musa.H.D
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