A day of reflection at Adeleke University, Ede — by Adedokun Abolarin
It was a beautiful, solemn and deeply soul-searching day for me inside the auspicious and magnificent Performing Art Theatre of Adeleke University, Ede.
I sat attentively as Prof. Adelaja Odutola Odukoya, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, delivered an audacious, brilliant and intellectually stimulating lecture titled “History, Power and Accumulation: Reimagining Africa in the Globally Disorderly Order” at the maiden edition of the Toyin Falola Annual Lecture.
The lecture was profound. Prof. Odukoya dissected how history shapes power, how power drives accumulation, and how accumulation, in turn, redefines the destiny of a nation and the World . It was a lecture that challenged us to rethink Africa’s past, interrogate its present, and take responsibility for its future.
The hall was graced by some of Nigeria’s finest intellectuals. It was particularly heartwarming to see the revered Elder statesman and one of Nigeria’s foremost labour leaders, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, in attendance. His presence gave the occasion historical weight and moral depth.
The students of the beautiful Adeleke University, Ede, were present in large numbers — attentive, engaged, and hopeful.
For me, however, the greatest joy was seeing our own children — ex-students of Abolarin College, Oke-Ila Orangun — seated proudly among them. They are beneficiaries of the full scholarships generously offered by the Springtime Development Foundation of the Pro-Chancellor of the University, my brother and friend, Dr. Adedeji Tajudeen Adeleke. This is what purposeful philanthropy looks like.
Among them was a particularly touching sight: Ruth Adeoye, the first child of my head driver of almost twenty years, Fikayo Adeoye a.k.a Eniwo Orangun.
Eniwo, by circumstance, had no business inside that hall. But Ruth, his daughter, by merit and opportunity, had every business there. She sat as one of our emerging leaders, charting a new course for her family ,for Nigeria and the World.
That single image captures the whole essence of Prof. Odukoya’s lecture and the very mission of Abolarin College. When we give a child of a driver the same quality education as the child of a Governor, we break the chain of accumulation by a few and spread the promise of prosperity to many.
Preparing for a prosperous future for Nigeria is indeed a tough journey, but the commitment of all — scholars, philanthropists, traditional institutions, drivers, and students — is indispensable.
I left Ede fulfilled, reminded once again that education remains the most powerful equalizer.
Thank you, Adeleke University. Thank you, Prof. Toyin Falola. Thank you, Dr. Deji Adeleke.
–Oba Abolarin is the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Osun State
