Ajayi was towering figure in UI, says VC

Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, says the late Prof. Ade Ajayi was one of the towering figures of the university.

Adewole, Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari, stated this during the lying-in-state of the late professor of history on Wednesday.

The vice chancellor said Ajayi was one of those who established the fact that African had a history which pre-dated the arrival of the Europeans.

He said that it was under Ajayi that the Department of History of the university became the dominant school in the study of the history of Nigeria and Africa.

Ajayi helped to build the next generation of historians and scholars that spread the message of the new historiography far and wide, the vice chancellor pointed out.

“Ajayi served this institution in various capacities and, no doubt, will remain one of the University of Ibadan’s greatest immortals,” Adewole said.

In his tribute, Prof. Olatunji Oloruntimehin, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, said Ajayi spearheaded the efforts to establish an apex organisation that would serve both the humanities and social sciences.

“He was a pillar of our academy and one of the Foundation Fellows.

“Even when he was frail in health, he continued to encourage the development of the academy by his writing and attendance at the academy’s activities.

“We are encouraged by the fact that he was an uncommon gift to the family, scholars and to humanity.

“His immense legacy will surely continue to be a guiding light to future generation,” Oloruntimehin said.

In her response, one of Ajayi’s daughters, Mrs Titilola Job, thanked the university’s authorities for organising the ceremony for their father.

Job prayed God to give the family the glory to continue with the legacy left behind by their father.

Ajayi died at the age of 85 in August.

PHOTO: (L-R) Mrs Titi Ajayi-Jones; Dr Niyi Ade-Ajayi; Widow, Mrs Christy Ade-Ajayi And  Mrs Yetunde Aina, during the lying in state and commendation service for Late Prof. Emeritus Jacob Ade-Ajayi In Ibadan on Wednesday (NAN)