Kwara state Government, once again, paid tribute to the late Vice -Chancellor of Kwara state University (KWASU), Malete, late Prof. Muhammad Mustapha Akanbi, on Wednesday describing him as a strong and a value-driven administrator.
A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that the state government said this in Ilorin during the 6th Student Leadership Summit and Empowerment programme organized by the Students’ Union of KWASU, while also affirming that Prof Akanbi was exceptionally upright.
Governor AbdulRazaq was represented at the event by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, and he has called the late Prof. Akanbi a team player that played active roles in transforming the institution.
‘Everything we’ve heard this afternoon revolves around the excellent qualities of the Vice- Chancellor, Prof Mohammad Akanbi.
He was a strong and value-driven administrator. He was a fine representative of the youth constituency as one of the youngest vice -chancellors in the country’ he said.
KWASU Students’ Union had noted that they found Prof Akanbi worthy to be honoured during this year’s Leadership Summit in view of his contribution to the university.
The summit had as its theme ‘A Colossus that Bestrode the Planet Earth: The Life and Times of Prof M.M Akanbi’ .
Prof Akanbi was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of KWASU by Governor AbdulRazaq in April 2020, and he died two and a half years later.
‘The government is really proud of his leadership and his vision for the university. He was sure-footed, firm, courageous, and kind. He was also a team player. It is rare to have students describing an administrator in those words in the same sentence’ the governor added.
He said for students to speak good about the late Vice -Chancellor means a lot, urging the young people, especially students at the institution, to emulate his values and virtues.
‘The question is: what legacy am I leaving behind? And what would you be remembered for?, Ajakaye asked the audience while praying God to continue to bless the soul of the deceased.
At the event were various dignitaries and some government officials including representative of the First Lady of Kwara state, Ambassador Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq , Dr. Funsho AbdulRazaq; Mutawalle Ilorin and Chairman of the occasion, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq represented by Dr. Ghali Alaya; Acting VC of KWASU, Prof Shaykh Luqman Jimoh; Dean, Students Affairs, KWASU, Prof Moshood Mahmud Jimba; representative of the family and wife of the honoree, Mrs. Shakirat Mustapha Akanbi; Guest Speaker, who is the Vice- Chancellor of Ojaja University , Eyenkorin, Prof Jeleel Ojuade; former VC Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof Musbau Akanji; Alhaji Sa’ad Salau; Alhaji Bashir Adigun; President Students’ Union, KWASU, Israel Jesutofunmi; some family members of the honoree, among others.
Acting Vice- Chancellor of KWASU, Prof Shaykh Luqman Jimoh, in his remarks, said late Akanbi was a visionary and academic luminary, and an exemplary administrator, whose tenure was filled with unwavering commitment and passion for transformative education.
He said the university has taken a decision to name the Senate building after the late administrator to immortalize him.
‘It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of loss that we gather to remember and honour Prof Muhammad Mustapha Akanbi, the second Vice -Chancellor of this University. As we reflect on his life and profound impacts that he had on this community, we are reminded of the immeasurable void that his passing has left behind’ he said.
Mutawalle Ilorin and Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, said the institution owes a duty to maintain the good legacy of Prof Akanbi, and to continue to execute what he had as wishes and aspirations for the university.
Prof Ojuade, in his lecture, said the late VC left a vacuum that was difficult to fill, alluding to some of his exemplary virtues, and how he impacted the lives of many in all stages of his life.
Ojuade, who was a close confidant of Prof Akanbi, said the late VC was a man of great vision, focus, contentment, generosity, discipline, trustworthiness and commitment to the growth of humanity.
Also speaking, Prof Musbau Akanji said Prof Akanbi was in a hurry to impact the lives of hundreds of thousand lives, and urged the Akanbi family to take solace in the fact the late VC lived a good life-Team@orientactualmags.com
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