It was indeed a harvest of encomium from different celebrated academics and accomplished individuals when the University of Ibadan organised a lying-in-state ceremony held in Trenchard Hall to honour departed soul erudite scholar, colossus, Emeritus Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe, CFR.
It would be recalled that Prof. Akinkungbe departed this terrestrial earth on Monday, 15th June, 2020 after a brief illness at his private residence in Ibadan.
Tributes were read by several speakers on behalf of various associations, institutions, colleagues and mentees associated with the late sage. They included Prof. Ayodele Falase on behalf of colleagues and Nigerian Academy of Science; President, Ibadan College of Medicine, worldwide (ICOMMA), Prof. Fatai Adeniyi; President, Nigeria Association of Nephrologist, Prof. Abiola Arogundade on behalf of the NAN; Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede represented by Ondo State Director, Mr. Babatunde Bamisaye on behalf of JAMB; Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Sylvia Malomo on behalf of University of Ilorin.
Tributes also came from the Head, Department of Medicine, Prof. Adebola Oguniyi on behalf of the Department; Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Prof. Mayowa Owolabi.
Professor Oluwabunmi Olaopa-Olopade paid tribute on behalf of the Faculty and Provost, College of Medicine.
Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, FAS, paid a glowing tribute to late Emeritus Prof. Akinkugbe.
He recounted late Prof. Akinkungbe’s various achievements in academic, his numerous contributions to the University of Ibadan part of which included the recent donations of library to the Keneth Dike Library in February this year.
In appreciative of his sterling contribution, University bestowed on him an Emeritus Professor of Medicine.
UI conferred on his honorary degree of Doctor of Science, named the Faculty of Clinical Sciences which is the best College of Medicine in Sub-Saharan Africa after him, set aside a space specifically for the Akinkugbe’s Corner at the University’s main library.
“We will continue to remember and celebrate you Baba. We commiserate with the widow, our highly respected Mama, retired Professor of Child Health, Folasade Akinkugbe, the children, siblings and the entire Akinkugbe’s family.
Present at the occasion were the Principal Officers of the University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, Ajayi Crowther University, representatives of various associations and institutions, family members, friends and mentees of the late sage.
Adieu Baba Akinkugbe
