UNILORIN Honours Oloyede, Echono, Others at 4th Excellence Awards
Unilorin Honours Oloyede, Echono, Others for Excellence and National Service
The University of Ilorin has honoured former JAMB Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Emeritus Ish’aq Oloyede, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Architect Sonny Echono, and other distinguished personalities for their contributions to education, institutional development and national service.
The honours were presented at the university’s 4th Excellence and Distinguished Awards ceremony, homecoming celebration and investiture held at the University Auditorium, Ilorin, Kwara State.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, said the recognitions were designed to celebrate individuals whose leadership, integrity, professional accomplishments and commitment to public service had made significant impact on the university and the wider society.
Egbewole singled out Prof. Oloyede, who recently completed two terms as JAMB Registrar, describing his record of service as an example of how education should translate into character, competence and meaningful contributions to national development.
Responding, Oloyede expressed appreciation to the university management and community, recalling the important role scholarship played in making his university education possible.
“If not for scholarship, I would not have had a university education—I would have had it with pain, and not as an asset. I want to thank the university and its management. I didn’t realise the full impact earlier, but I have come to discover that it was truly worthwhile,” he said.
The Chairman of the occasion, Architect Sonny Echono, urged Nigerian universities to institutionalise the recognition of their distinguished alumni and other individuals who have contributed to their growth.
According to him, celebrating outstanding alumni not only motivates them to support their alma mater but also provides younger generations with role models in integrity, diligence and service.
Echono noted that such recognition was particularly important at a time when public institutions and public servants were under increasing scrutiny, stressing the need to promote individuals whose careers demonstrate accountability and commitment to the common good.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Event Planning Committee, Prof. Wahab Yahya, said the university’s selection process was strictly based on merit, service to humanity and demonstrable national impact.
He stressed that the awards were not influenced by financial considerations, lobbying or other extraneous factors.
Yahya explained that the recognitions were divided into three major categories.
The Award of Excellence was presented to Architect Sonny Echono; founder of Al-Hikmah University, Alhaji Abdulraheem Oladimeji; prominent chartered accountant, Otunba Olusola Adekanola; and Managing Director of BOVAS & Company Ltd, Mrs. Victoria Adunola Samson.
The second category, the Central Award, was presented to nine outstanding institutional partners of the university, while the Student e-Learning Ambassador Award went to 18 distinguished alumni.
The ceremony brought together members of the university community, alumni, education stakeholders, public officials and other distinguished guests to celebrate individuals whose achievements, the institution said, reflect the values of excellence, service and national development.
