I never believed I could live up to 20″, he disclosed with a tinge of stoicism. “Heeya! Were you so sickly when you were young?” this writer asked. “No, I wasn’t sickly, but because I grew up in a part of the world where wicked people used ‘juju’ to kill fellow human beings recklessly. They targeted seemingly prosperous people and did them in. Any brilliant child could be surreptitiously eliminated. So I thought they would have killed me before attaining age 20 because I was very good in primary school. Now, I am 59, I sincerely thank God for His mercies. It is indeed a miracle that I am what I am today.”
This was how the University of Ibadan (UI) Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Abel Idowu Olayinka who is 59 today, described his feelings. He was born February 16, 1958 at Odo-ljesa, Osun State.
With his mannerisms of speaking, observers may note that he is down-to-earth, truthful and naturally unromantic. Many are of the opinion that Olayinka, who is the 12th UI VC, does not know how to call a spade by any other name. Those who really know him say he cannot be a good politician for he will say it as it is. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons he had it rough with various unions on campus when he took over the mantle of leadership on December 1, 2015.
As if the current economic recession was awaiting his appointment. No sooner he took over than the national economy nosedived. Personnel subvention from Abuja substantially plummeted with the attendant reduction in salaries of the workers. The union leaders soon challenged the VC to a frightening duel over shortage in salaries and non-payment of some allowances.
Consequently, the union leaders heaped on Olayinka, insults dripping with disdain, lies, and malice. The VC was carricatured and painted in colours that bore no resemblance to the wholesome man that he is. Yet, he took all the undeserved vilifications and vituperations in his stride with malice towards none. Olayinka’s catch phrase has always been: “I applied for the job, nobody forced me into it, therefore I have to take the rough with the smooth”. When reminded that some people had made him the butt of cruel jokes, naturally humorous Olayinka retorted: “there is no problem, my next chieftaincy title should be “Ebudola”, roughly translated, “insult has become wealth.”
One of the pillars of his strength since he became VC has been the culture of his transparency. Olayinka places every card on the table. He hides nothing from all and sundry. Whenever allocation or any money comes into the system, he will promptly call the meeting of major stakeholders, including the union leaders and student representatives. He will seek their opinion. The consensus at the meeting forms the plank of his decisions as he leads with his head high. Again, he will write the university community and place the information in public domain, using social media to reach all.
Olayinka radiates peacefulness of mind. Irrespective of any circumstance, he largely remains unruffled. Nothing intimidates him. Rather, he will resume early and close very late. Given the nature of the job, this writer is not expected to leave office before the VC, but for distance, when going home around 7:30pm, it is as if Olayinka has just resumed. He is so committed to the job.
He is always excited about reading assessors’ report. This is because he does not joke with the career progression of his staff. Therefore, he will painstakingly read external and internal assessors’ reports to know the strength and weaknesses of those seeking promotion. To this end, 89 academics have been so far promoted to the Readership and Professorial cadres while Non-Teaching staff members have equally been promoted as and when due. It is to his credit that no file suffers unnecessary delay in his office. Olayinka is so meticulous that he does not sign any file or paper on the spur of the moment. He will first flip through to have a mental idea of the nature of the demand or request. He will think about it thoroughly before appending his signature
Having worked closely with him for more than a year now, I am in a better stead to describe Olayinka as a modest man. From his dressing style to his personal house in a suburb of Ibadan, one can clearly see a man of few needs. As opposed to those buying multi-million Naira houses, Olayinka simply built a moderate duplex on a plot of land, with only two cars (one for his elegant wife, Dr Eyiwumi).
Again, the UI VC never bothers about the trappings of power. He is not given to tooting his own trumpet. Yet, his temper constitutes the template for enviable conduct as he is always on his best behaviour in all situations. However, looking at his face may not provide adequate clues to the interpretation of his personality as his non-smiling visage could be misleading. But those who are very close to him will not hesitate to call him a nice person loved by over 80 percent of the university community. He may somewhat appear introvert, but his human relations skill is superb. He remains one of the few VCs who will not forget to felicitate with you on your birthday. He is available on social media and he uses the platforms to get as well as pass information across.
More strikingly, Olayinka is largely an epigrammatist with a robust sense of humour. He has a unique way of scintillating you with uncommon sarcasms that can make you convulse with laugher. I must, confess that I always like to stay around him. For instance when I asked him why he stayed late in the office, his response was hilarious. Hear him, “you know that this is a kind of job that Yoruba people call “ise nla, owo kekere”, meaning “big job, small pay”
However, when it comes to discipline, Olayinka does not take nonsense. As jocular as he may appear to be, he is also firm and decisive regarding rules and regulations. Recently, a Professor and Head of a Department (HOD) paid dearly for his sloppiness. He was unceremoniously removed as HOD for not following rules. He was also asked to refund three years of salaries collected by a lady who absconded with his connivance. Olayinka, as the Chairman of the disciplinary committee had to wield the big stick.
Although real achievements are not restricted to building gigantic structures, the VC says he will complete all on-going projects before embarking on new ones. Despite recession, he is prudently managing the resources of the university to achieve optimal performance.
Olayinka attended St. Bartholomew’s Primary School, Odo-Ijesa, 1964-1969, and was appointed the Senior Prefect in his final year. He was admitted into the famous Ilesa Grammar School in January 1970 and completed his West African Secondary School Certificate in 1975, in Division One.
He entered the University of Ibadan in the 1977/78 session to study Geology. He graduated with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in 1981 as the best student in his class.
He started his postgraduate studies in September 1983, first at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London. He earned an MSc in Geophysics at the University of London and Diploma of Membership of Imperial College in July 1984. He subsequently received the Overseas Research Students’ Award from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of United Kingdom Universities (now Universities UK); he utilised this scholarship at the University of Birmingham for his Ph.D. research in Applied Geophysics which he completed in April, 1988.
Dear amiable VC, this is wishing you happy birthday and many happy returns of this day.
Saanu (08059436919) is with the Directorate of Public Communication, University of Ibadan. E mail: sundaysaanu@yahoo.com
