Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) on Monday described the late Prof. Adeoye Adeniyi, former Vice-Chancellor of the university as an iconic figure who contributed to education in Nigeria.
Abdulkareem was paying tribute to Adeniyi on Wednesday at the 281st Special Meeting of the Senate in honour of the fourth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin.
He said that the Adeniyi, who died on Sept. 4, at the age of 95, was the fourth vice-chancellor of the university from 1985 to 1992.
The VC observed that under his watch, the university blossomed, while he also led exemplary life in the exhibition of commitment to duties.
Abdulkareem said the Adeniyi was the longest serving vice chancellor of the university and the first Professor of Emeritus ever produced from the College of Health Sciences.
Also in his tribute, Prof. Alfred Adegoke, former Dean of Education, UNILORIN, described Adeniyi as “a great administrator, renowned paediatrician and an intellectual colossus.’’
“His words are soft, gentle but firm and he spoke Queen’s English with dignity and elegance like no one else that I know.”
Prof. Ibrahim Katibi, the Dean Clinical Sciences and Prof. Wahab Johnson of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health said the late VC had a ground breaking clinical study on the:”Peculiarities of the tropical variant of secondary nephritic syndrome”.
Katibi said that this was a watershed in clarifying the possible nexus between malaria endemicity and its occurrence on tropical climes.
The late Adeniyi, who was an indigene of Ogah in Yagba Local Government Area of Kogi, would be buried on Friday, Nov, 1.