ntials. Shortly after my appointment, the then Governor of Oyo State and Visitor to the University, Senator Abiola Ajimobi , invited me for a meeting in his office to discuss my plans for the university. At the meeting were a few government officials, including the then Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli. The governor then told me he was planning to appoint a substantive Pro-Chancellor for the university and he wanted my suggestion.
Professor Ibidapo-Obe eagerly asked, “Who?” And as soon the Visitor mentioned my name, he said, “Yes, you made the right choice. That guy is the best for the job. I can assure you that with him on the saddle, that university will fly. The surest way to kill a new university is to make the wrong choice in appointing the Pioneer Vice Chancellor. Prof. Salami will be my pick for the Vice Chancellorship any day.
He was very humble and down to earth, despite his humongous achievements and intimidating accomplishments. The major cause for disagreement between Council and management in most universities is usually power play between these two critical organs of the university system. This is with respect to protection of, or encroachment on, territories on either side. But Prof. Ibidapo-Obe was a thoroughbred university administrator who held university traditions sacrosanct.
Early in the morning of December 16, I called on phone to check on him as was my practice whenever he was in Ibadan. He told me that the night was not too comfortable and requested to see doctor at our clinic. The doctor attended to him and the meeting held with all COVID-19 protocols duly observed. He exhibited no sign of sickness throughout the meeting. Somehow, he ran the meeting like a valedictory sitting, even though his tenure was not supposed to end before March next year.
Our dear Uncle Oye you were such a very intelligent, kind hearted, humble, perfect gentleman and very unassuming. May your soul continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen 🙏🏽
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