No doubt, a child can have more than a father or biological one; this is anchored on the roles played by such a personality to merit the badge of a father.
Without mincing words, Mr. Muhammed Olatunji Oladejo, a distinguished University of Ibadan alumnus, a core Ìbàdàn man with his root in Oje-Igosun, Ibadan North Local Government Area is a father to many outside his biological children.
He has proven this time without number: his zeal, commitment, passion, and native intelligence devoted to his career and vision to assist University of Ibadan students who came from far and near are unparalleled.
Without being economical with the truth, Mr. Oladejo is an outstanding administrator who, at every point in his career, has proven his worth and earned himself accolades and commendations.
From the humble beginning of his career at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) to one of the oldest surviving newspapers in Nigeria, to an Advertising and Public Relations firm, Micade Consultancy Services, and a voyage into the University of Ibadan.
As a mentee of today’s celebrant, I took a moment to reflect on my undergraduate journey at the prestigious University of Ibadan, and I found out that without his selfless contribution to my life, I may find it difficult to navigate through some hurdles of life.
My path crossed with the name Olatunji Oladejo while in 200-level; I watched him anchoring the university’s programmes with a touch of elegance; his oratory and eloquent words endeared many to him, just like that of late former University Orator, Prof. T.K. Hamzat; may Allaah accept his return.
Needless to state, Mr. Oladejo was not only the mouthpiece of the University of Ibadan alone during that time; he dresses well up till today. His open-minded policy and unbiased submission on any matter brought to his table is a reference book for any aspiring young person who aims to navigate the troubling community.
Mr Oladejo is an institution on its own younger generation needs to study, from serving as Public Relations Officer of the one the largest social political association in Ibadan, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and rose through the ranks from Administrative Officer to Faculty of Officer (Law and Veterinary Medicine) to Director, Directorate of Public Communication and presently, Director, Ibadan University Press (Publishing House). His service, however, epitomizes humanity first. He is one of the few administrators who treat everyone equally; his character is exemplary.
My first one-on-one meeting with Mr. Oladejo was in 2013 at his former office domicile in the premises of the Office of the International Programme, University of Ibadan.
Let me remind my mentor today; I became “wanted” for good on his table. He asked a colleague if he knows who is bearing Hammed Hamzat, he gave the person his card and instructed the person to give me his. In addition, the person reiterated that “Oga said you should call the phone number on the card once I give you the complementary card.”.
A few days later, while coming from Staff Quarters one evening after a home lesson at Embroime Street with my students. I decided to dial the number as I was approaching Queens Hall; luckily, Mr. Oladejo picked up. As soon as I mentioned my name, his response was as if he knew me before. He humbly requested I visit his office.
At his office, the conversation was as if he knew me before; he recalls how his office had access to some of my write-ups about happenings at the University of Ibadan in the Nation Newspaper (CampusLife Column). He encourages me to do more and gives me my first assignment.
Another opportunity to thank you to my then-roommate, Obidelu Gideon, whom i used his laptop to deliver my first assignment from Mr. Oladejo.
How he meticulously read through the manuscript, corrected my mistakes, and approved it for publication is what lecturers should emulate.
At every point I had cause to follow him to the event, there was no regret at all. He takes care of everyone under him and sacrifices his welfare for others.
I recalled two scenarios: when the University of Ibadan was conducting the admission process, a former and respectable figure, the former Police PRO for Oyo State, called and asked if there was anything Mr. Oladejo could do to assist the applicant. Luckily, Mr. Oladejo just returned from the Senate meeting, where I followed him and where Deans of faculties presented cut-off marks for each Department in the Faculties.
Mr. Oladejo took his time to explain in detail the decision of the Senate and offered the best guidance and in-loco-parentis advice. The police officer was very elated and thanked Mr. Oladejo.
I witnessed another moment where an applicant related to oil and gas mogul from Ibadan made efforts through my mentor to secure admission for the applicant. Mr. Oladejo told the person in my presence in his office that once Senate decided on the admission cut off marks, there was no way a single individual could influence it. He offered the best advise we both later agreed that the said applicant should go for A-level programme and try the University of Ibadan for Direct Entry (DE) upon completion of the A-level programme.
Mr. Oladejo is one of the few you will enjoy as your boss and mentor, when University of Ibadan was to embrace new methods of screening Post Graduate applicants in 2013, irrespective of undergrad performance, University of Ibadan took a cue the way University of Witwatersrand, South Africa screen applicants, at the Senate, during the bilateral agreement, Prof. Adam Habib, outgoing Vice Chancellor of the varsity, told Prof. Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, the 11th VC of premier university that they screen applicants on “Test of English”, I was lucky to be in Senate Chamber, as “unofficial” P.A to Mr. Oladejo and one of the journalists who covered the event, I watched Prof. Adewole when nodded with positive vibe and turned to DVC. The policy is still operative today.
While narrating the last paragraph above, after the event, UI’s principal officers and that of UWits, South Africa, drove the Conference Centre, now Balogun Subomi Conference Centre, opposite Chapel International for Buffet. I wanted to leave to go and complete my assignment and draft to Mr. Oladejo for approval; he held me back saying, Hammed, you can’t go now, we worked together; we must participate in Buffet together. “That gave me the first opportunity to share a table with outstanding university administrators.
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On many occasions, Mr. Oladejo will stop by Tedder Hall and dial my number to check on me. Such is rare, and I don’t take it for granted, sir. On countless times, Mr. Oladejo will deep hand in his pocket and give me allowance, his weekly allowance in cash and kind is a soothing balm for struggling students in terms of welfare.
His interventions when I was summoned by the University Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate the cause of the inferno at the buttery section of Tedder Hall in 2014 was top-notch. My report in the Nation Newspaper revealed certain things that Hall Management’s account of the inferno contradicts. Prof. Olatunbosun of the Department of Electrical and Electronics and other highly cerebral members of the university from the three major ethnic tribes were drafted into the Panel.
At every point in time, the Secretary of the Panel called; my heartbeat will beat faster, and then when I remember I have Mr. Oladejo, I remain calm. I defended my story and reached out to Mr. Editor at the Nation Newspaper, Wale Ajetunmobi, who moved ahead to initiate talk on my behalf with Mr. Femi Falana, SAN.
On my last appearance at the panel, Prof. Olatunbosun told me specifically that my report was not in any way harmful to the university, but there are things the university must do to forestall future occurrences. He gave me an open floor as a student journalist for recommendations, which will be part of what the committee will submit. Initially, I still feel somehow to talk in front of eminent scholars, later I summoned the courage to speak and Prof. Olatunbosun was impressed with recommendations. I could muster the courage because I have someone like Mr. Oladejo.
Mr. Oladejo’s hard work and dedication to service have earned him a coveted seat as one of the communication experts who has worked with four Vice Chancellors, YES, he has worked with three substantive Vice Chancellors; (Prof. Isaac F. Adewole, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, and current VC, Prof. Adebowale) and one Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ekanola. This is a rare opportunity, and he becomes one of the first, if not the only one, in Nigeria to have served under four VCs.
Mr. Oladejo is the go-to person when you need urgent attention for an assignment; he has invested his time, resources to nurture many of us. His interventions validated the foreign admission of my mentee in 2023; when I had to leave my comfort zone, I met with the guy in UI whose admission was awaiting a transcript from University of Ibadan.
Anyone who has processed transcripts in UI will know better. I ran to Mr. Oladejo’s office at the opposite Postgraduate College. While waiting for him to return to his office, another member of the University of Ibadan was on the waiting list as well. When he returns, his secretary called the person to enter; Mr. Oladejo called me and my mentee in as well. He told me to give him a few minutes to attend to the person. When he attended to the person briefly, he turned his chair to me and asked what brought me with the guy. I explained to him that this young man beside me was the best graduating student of his Department in Faculty of Technology. He lost an admission recently due to Transcript delay; another one is hanging, A reputable private university in the United States has offered him Ph.D. admission straight for his academic performance in University of Ibadan. He has been given a deadline to submit the Transcript. Upon hearing that Mr. Oladejo took permission from the visitor he was attending to earlier, he instructed the guy and me to enter the car. he drove down to Exams and Records; he met with one of the most senior staff at the unit. the person asked for all the details of the guy; we provided it, and three days later, or let me say less than a week, the University confirmed receipt of the student’s transcript via email. The young man left Nigeria for study in July 2023. Each time we communicate, he always sends his greetings to Mr. Oladejo; that’s who my mentor is. On our way back to his office, Mr. Oladejo said the person in his office is a Prof. from the ‘Green’ Faculty, who has been scheduled to deliver an inaugural lecture.
Today is a moment to say thank you, sir for all that you do to add value and elevate humanity beyond borders.
Mr. Oladejo celebrated me upon completion of my first degree, still celebrating me till today, we were in his car one afternoon after Senate considered graduation of my set, he asked me what did I graduate with; I said, Oga, it’s 2:1, sir. He was happy, overjoyed, and said, Hammed, O ye ki n we fun e.” I need to celebrate it for you, O, despite all the hustling and bustling around U.I., you still make 2:1; that’s impressive of you. A few days later, he called me. After we had lunch together at Àmàlà Buka beside U.I. Staff School, Mr. Oladejo zoomed off. Before I knew it, we were in Dugbe, fabric stores opposite the Femi Johnson Building, Dugbe. He bought nice fabrics for money, put cash in my pocket, and on our way back, he got stuff for me. That’s Mr. Oladejo.
How he managed his time to attend my wedding programme first week in January 2018 still amazes me to this day, despite his tight and predictable schedule. He spent a wonderful moment with me, asked for his favourite food, Àmàlà and Abula, he devoured it, took pictures with me, and other attendees.
Mr. Oladejo is an institution to study for the younger generation; every time I had the opportunity to celebrate one or two things, Mr. Oladejo will be there. Honestly, he is one of the few that valued relationships.
To cap it all, Mr. Oladejo is a bridge builder between University and students.
If i had done anything worthy of commendation in my dealing with you, appreciate my mentor in public life.
Let me pause here for golden celebration and keep the remaining for years to come. May Allaah keep you alive for us to pay you back. May all your children excel and be a source of joy to you till your old age.
By Hammed O. Hamzat
ho.hamzat@gmail.com
+234 816 722 5635
