Encomiums were poured on the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Edward Olanipekun, as the golden 1982 set of Mary Immaculate Grammar School, Ado-Ekiti converged on the school premises to celebrate him.
Eminent Nigerians, who are members of the set, comprising a captain of industry, politicians, academia among others graced luncheon organised by the 1982 set in honour of Olanipekun after serving a single tenure of five years as the EKSU Vice Chancellor.
Speaking at the event, the President of the set, Mr. Charles Fasuba, lauded the former VC for being a good ambassador of his alma mater, saying he contributed immensely to lift EKSU to loftier heights.
Fasuba said the set decided to honour Olanipekun for his outstanding performance in office, which he said has made the school as well as the 1982 set very proud.
He said: “Prof. Olanipekun was our mate; we were here together before he rose to the position he is exiting today, and we thought to celebrate him as an icon among us.
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“He is the first product of this school to occupy such an exalted position. His tenure is excellent. I know him from our little days; he has been a no-nonsense person, a brilliant man, a well-focused person who doesn’t delve into sentiment; he gives you what you deserve.
“From the testimony of the people who worked under him, he has done well, and it’s evident here today when one of their staff said that before he got there, they owed them salaries and arrears, and that when he got there, he defrayed almost everything that was owed them despite the meager resources available in the university. How he did it, nobody knows; that’s to tell you that he is wizardry in administrative system.”
The former VC expressed happiness about the honour, saying his catalogue of achievements were testament to the fact that the education he received in Mary Immaculate Grammar School was topnotch.
“For me, it is a feeling of elation and excitement. It is interesting and very encouraging that your classmates put together this kind of reception in your honour to express solidarity and to thank God for how far he has brought you.”
Olanipekun described his tenure as Vice Chancellor as fulfilling, adding that the university witnessed tremendous growth, particularly in its core areas of learning, research and service.
He said that he was fulfilled leaving the institution better than he met it when he assumed office in 2019, noting that the ivory tower has witnessed tremendous transformation in all ramifications under his watch.