As part of the initiative to honor its outstanding alumni who have excelled in research and innovation, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University recognized the distinguished legal luminary, Professor Yussuf Ali, an alumnus of the University, with an award of excellence in research and innovation.
The event, spearheaded by Professor Simeon A Bamire, the Vice Chancellor of the University, in collaboration with other university officials, aimed to bestow honors and awards upon exceptional alumni who have demonstrated versatility and excellence in their respective fields. This initiative, which commenced in 2023, saw Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, the first student to achieve a perfect 5.0 CGPA in the University, being acknowledged and conferred with an award of excellence in research and practices for his exceptional contributions and lasting impact on society.
In his opening remarks, the registrar, Mr. K A Bakare, who chaired the occasion, welcomed all dignitaries, guests, and students to the occasion, expressing gratitude to God for bringing the event to fruition. He also extended appreciation to the awardee for accepting the honor and conveyed gratitude on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the management team, and the entire student body of Obafemi Awolowo University.
“The University Management, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Professor Simeon Bamire, extends a warm welcome to all present at this momentous occasion, including dignitaries, royal guests, friends, associates of the University, and esteemed students.
On this special day, we wish to express our gratitude to the honoree, Professor Yussuf Ali, for accepting this prestigious award. On behalf of the Vice Chancellor, we sincerely thank you for your gracious acceptance,” registrar remarked. Following suit, Vice Chancellor Professor Simeon Bamire expressed his gratitude to God for the auspicious gathering and extended thanks to all attendees.
He also acknowledged Professor Ali for accepting the award and returning to his alma mater to support and invest in the lives of the 300 OAU stars. The Vice Chancellor further acknowledged the presence of royal dignitaries, Vice Chancellors from various universities, JAMB Registrar Prof. Isiaq Oloyede, the honoree’s family, university staff, and esteemed students who had gathered to witness the grand occasion.
“First and foremost, I wish to express gratitude to God for granting us the privilege to celebrate this day. I also wish to thank all those who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this event. This initiative, which began two years ago, aims to acknowledge the nobility, skill, outstanding character, and exceptional achievements of all Great Ife alumni who have made significant contributions in their respective fields,” the VC remarked.
“The inaugural edition of this initiative took place last year when we honored the first and only student from this institution to graduate with a perfect 5.0 CGPA, Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, a graduate of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department of our esteemed institution. Since assuming office, our management’s mantra has been to establish strong connections with all OAU graduates worldwide and honor them accordingly. Therefore, as part of our tradition, we are delighted, on this auspicious occasion, to present an award of excellence in research and innovation to Professor Yussuf Ali, a distinguished scholar and legal expert,” the VC added.
Meanwhile, Prof. Isiaq Oloyede, the JAMB Registrar, humorously stated that he had known Professor Yussuf Ali for 50 years and agreed with all the praises and accolades showered upon him. However, having a close relationship with him, he acknowledged Prof. Ali’s intolerance for laziness and lackadaisical attitudes.
“Yussuf is a disciplinarian and a hardworking individual. He may have his flaws, but weakness is not one of them. One of his endearing qualities is his unwavering dedication and refusal to give up easily,” Prof. Isiaq noted.
The Jamb Registrar however commended the management’s unique initiative to recognize and reward outstanding students with exceptional intellect, emphasizing that Obafemi Awolowo University is undeniably a top-tier institution and a hub of innovative and resourceful education.
In a keynote address, Professor Shola Akinrinade emphasized that Professor Ali is a man of exceptional value, characterized by traits that surpass mere adjectives. “Professor Ali embodies selflessness and generosity, acting as a philanthropist who is driven by compassion for humanity. Despite the numerous accolades bestowed upon him, his humanitarian and generous deeds far outweigh any character attributes,” Prof. Akinrinade affirmed.
He urged the OAU students to cultivate a resilient and determined spirit for success, emphasizing that talent alone is insufficient. Courage, tenacity, and a spirit of resilience, exemplified by Prof. Ali, are essential for achieving success. Prof. Akinrinade also highlighted the prevalence of complacency in academic institutions, urging students and faculty to prioritize perseverance and determination over shortcuts in life. Grit, he stressed, is the paramount quality required to attain desired outcomes in life – “nothing else,” he emphasized.
Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe who was unavoidably absent owing to a peculiar assignment and a wedding he had to attend in London, however, virtually joined the event and commended the OAU management for their remarkable initiative. As the first and only OAU graduate with a perfect 5.0 CGPA and the inaugural recipient of the university’s excellence award in research and practice, Prof. Adegbulugbe congratulated Professor Ali on being recognized in 2024 as an outstanding researcher and esteemed academic.
Professor Adegbulugbe, in closing remarks, however, praised the management and the entire Great Ife community for their commitment to recognizing talent and excellence.
Upon receiving the award for excellence in research and practice, Professor Yussuf Ali reflected on his journey and experiences while growing up. He expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor and other university officials for deeming him worthy of the honor. “It is a great privilege to be selected as the recipient of this prestigious award among the pool of versatile OAU alumni who are distinguished both in character and charisma. I consider this a unique honour and am thankful for being chosen as an awardee,” Prof. Ali conveyed.
Furthermore, in his motivational address, Professor Ali encouraged the 300 OAU stars and by extension all students present in the Hall to embrace a resilient spirit and never give up on their dream. Professor Ali, however, reiterated that failure is natural and it is part of life. Thus, he advised that they should not be deterred by it whenever it comes visiting. Hence, Professor Ali advised that (Students) should devise means to get out of it whenever they find themselves in it rather than dwelling on it.
“When faced with failure, do not let it overpower you. Instead, find ways to overcome it and continue on your path,” he advised. Professor Ali recounted his undergraduate days at OAU, highlighting how his perseverance inspired fellow students within the university halls.
He recounted the journey of transitioning from studying History/Education to Law, a dream he realized through exceptional academic performance and unwavering determination. “I began my journey at this university as a History/Education student, but my aspiration was to study Law.
After speaking to Professor Sanni of the Chemical Engineering department, who was a family friend and an alumnus of my former school, I was advised that exceptional performance was crucial for the transition. By the grace of God, I excelled with five As and one B in my first-semester courses, and continued to perform well in subsequent semesters, ultimately realizing my vision,” he shared.
In conclusion, Professor Ali urged students to embrace diligence and always strive for excellence in life, emphasizing that with determination, nothing is impossible to achieve. Subsequently, the Students’ Union presented an award and a portrait to Professor Ali in recognition of his outstanding contributions to humanity.
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