Ooni hosts Egbewole, Unilorin VC
By Jeleel Olawale
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, hosted the new Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole in his Palace at a colourful fun-fare.
Egbewole who was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin last year is an indigene of Ile-Ife, Osun State. He was celebrated with a fun-fare like none.
Ooni, who was elated, described Egbewole as an asset to Ile-Ife and Nigeria, saying he would continue to support him for successful administration.
“You are the hope of Ile-Ife. I want all Ifes to support him and I want more of Egbewole in Ife. He has been doing very well as a lawyer and lecturer in his professional calling. He is an upright person who has not been found wanting whatsoever.
“I want to congratulate Egbewole family, the university community for having Ile-Ife indigene as Vice- Chancellor”.
The president of Ife Development Board, Comrade Lawrence Awowoyin said Prof. Wahab Egbewole is a member of the board, who played significant roles in the board especially in the realization of the 2022 Ife Day celebration .
He said the board is proud and happy for having its members as Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin, lauded Ooni for the befitting reception held in his honour. “We are very proud of him and we pray for him for a successful administration”.
Speaking at the event, Mallam Yusuf Alli described Egbewole as a man of integrity and honour, who had carved a nich for himself since childhood, adding that he believed him that he would take the university to an enviable height.
“I want to beg that he should be allowed to accomplish the assignment given to him. The first thing is that he should not be forced do what should not be done.
“The duty is not to award contracts. If you want him to succeed, we should not see him as an indigene of Ile-Ife but Nigeria. We should let him do the work diligently. Students who want assistance on admission should be on merit.
“Parents should let their children study hard. He was appointed VC but may not be able to do many things because he has other administrators. He needs Governing Council’s approval before he could do things.
“I had worked as a Chairman of Governing Council of universities, so I know how the system works. Vice-Chancellor cannot do anything without the approval of the council.
“I had known Egbewole since his secondary school days. I know the type of person he is, don’t involve in what you know you could not do. God will continue to be with you”, Alli concluded.
He eulogized Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi for bringing changes to Ile Ife, stressing that what he is doing in Ile-Ife is not for his personal interest but for Ifes.
The Chief Imam of Ife, Alhaji AbdulSemiu AbdulHammid emphasised the importance of education to every child, saying Egbewole is reaping the fruit of his investment in education.
“We are celebrating him here today because of education he acquired which took him to limelight as VC of University of Ilorin. He has contributed to education of many children in Ile-Ife through his NGO. He is an asset to Ifeland”.
In his response, the Vice- Chancellor thanked Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi for the befitting reception held for him as a son of the soil, saying he was surprised, that he never dreamed, and promised not to disappoint Ooni and Ile-Ife.
