As part of activities marking his 70th birthday, the University of Lagos held a Festschrift to honour its one-time Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olayide Abass, a distinguished professor of Computer Science, at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, Akoka, Lagos, reports TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO
He was the Vice-Chairman of the Waterloo Caucus in the University of Lagos (Unilag), an influential group that caters for the interest of its members.
The caucus power transcends the political activities of the citadel of learning – It sometimes dictates who gets what, and those who dared the group in the past met their waterloo.
On Tuesday, some members of the group led by respected Professor of Chemical Engineering Ayodele Francis Ogunye, joined the Prof Rahamon Bello-led management of the institution to honour him.
He is Mojeed Olayide Abass, a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and one-time Unilag Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
A Festschrift was organised by Unilag to honour Prof Abass for his scholarly contribution to the growth of the institution.
Festschrift, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary originated from German language, from fest – celebration, and Schrift – writing. First used in 1898, it is a volume of writings by different authors presented as a tribute or memorial especially to a scholar.
Abass became the fourth retired Unilag scholar to be honoured with the book entitled: Olayide Abass: On the dynamics of an Evolving Knowledge Society.
The Afe Babalola Auditorium was the place to be for those that matter in the institution.
The celebrator came in with his delectable wife of 41 years, Jolaade Titiloye (nee Oyetunde), a princess from Oyefi Ruling House in Ede, Osun State.
Prof Abass, also a native of Ede, is one of the progenies of Adekilekun dynasty in the popular Ile Imole (Household of Islam), situated at Olusokun Ward in Ede North Local Government.
He shone in a black suit, a white shirt, red tie, eye glasses and matching pair of shoes. His wife was decked in traditional iro and buba bright peach lace with butter-coloured headgear, necklace and rings dangling on her ears and fingers.
The event, anchored by Dr Aderonke Samuel featured a welcome address by Unilag Vice-Chancellor Prof Rahamon Bello before former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Chief Oladele Sanusi who chaired the occasion gave his remarks.
Prof Bello, who first met Prof Abass in 1978 when the latter visited University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada on a Research Fellowship in the company Prof Ogunye and former Unilag VC Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe – all alumni of the University of Waterloo and members of the Waterloo Caucus, described him as a great strategist.
“He is a realist, simple but sophisticated in all facets of life, a strategist with wide experience and exposure and a compendium of knowledge on contemporary issues, including history particularly Yoruba mythology,” he said.
Under Prof Abass’ leadership as the national president of the Unilag Alumni Association, Prof Bello said the association mobilised bigwigs to chart the course of retaining the university’s name and saw to the completion of the iconic ‘Jubilee House’ now housing the headquarters of the alumni association.
“Baba Tayo, as we call him, paid his dues to the extended family like a typical Yoruba man… I count myself extremely lucky to have come across the personality in Prof Abass. I have learnt from him and keep learning… all I can wish for him is good health and peace of mind to enjoy this stage of his life,” the Unilag VC said.
Prof Ogunye, who presented the rationale for Festschrifts, described Abass as a fearless friend in need and indeed.
“He is a dependable ally,” he said.
The duo first met in 1969 at the University of Waterloo. Their paths crossed again at Unilag. Ogunye said: “We had been close allies and friends since this reunion. We went into the university politics but Layide was a member of the dreaded society, The Speaker Society, comprising the likes of Ebenezer Babatope, Akin Oyebode and a fearless group that exposed the ills of the society at large.”
Prof Ogunye told the gathering how Prof Abass defied the school authority during the Kwaku Adadevoh-led administration crisis to give evidence against the school in support of him in the court.
“The news went out like wild fire that Layide had gone to give evidence against the university in my favour and that his career in the university was in jeopardy. They forgot that Layide got his PhD in Computing Science from University of Waterloo, adjudged the best in computing science in North America. Shortly afterwards, Layide was appointed associate professor and later professor. He later became the Dean of his faculty and a deputy vice-chancellor of the university,” Prof Ogunye recalled.
Prof Ibidapo-Obe, who reviewed the book in a chat with The Nation, said, Waterloo Caucus is a rallying point of a group that insists on doing the right things and supports members and associates to move up in their careers.
During the presentation of the book by the founder of the Adeleke University, Ede, Dr Deji Adeleke described Prof Abass as a dynamic icon.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Ibikunle Tijani, Dr Adeleke said Prof Abass humility is worth emulating.
He hailed the celebrator for producing many scholars who are now doing well in various tertiary institutions.
Prof Ralph Akinfeleye from the Department of Mass Communication, who threw up the Waterloo Caucus issues during his brief comedy-like remarks, congratulated Prof Abass for excellent service to Unilag.
“He is everything Unilag; his talking is Unilag; his eating is Unilag; his drinking is Unilag; his sleeping is Unilag. I wish him long life and prosperity,” Prof Akinfeleye said in a chat with The Nation.
One of the celebrator’s students, Dr Mumuni Amadu whose PhD thesis was supervised by Prof Abass, described him as hardworking and a good person.”
He urged people to emulate his honesty.
The Timi of Ede, Oba Muniru Lawal, thanked Prof Abass for making him who he is today.
“I give him credit for everything I achieve today,” he said.
The celebration continued outside the auditorium with snacks and choice drinks. There was light music as well.
