By Dayo Adu
It was a celebration of life laced with global impact and career excellence as dignitaries from all societal divides gathered at the Chapel of The Resurrection, University of Ibadan to bid Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo farewell.
Emeritus Ayodeji Banjo was a renowned scholar and a former vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
The funeral service, had in the pack, frontline guests, among whom were Principal Officers of the University of Ibadan led by the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, representatives of Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba of Benin and Ọlọ́ni of Eti-Ọ̀ni was saturated with hymns and songs chronicling the life and times of the deceased as a man of many parts who diligently served God and humanity without blemish in different capacity till he breathed his last.
In his tribute, the Acting Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, NUC, Mr Chris Maiyaki, described the late emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo as a doyen of university education whose resourcefulness stabilised the Commission.
In a sermon, the Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, the Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa, said Professor Ayo Banjo was a star, a veritable instrument of God who enjoyed life, humanity and left a legacy of excellence in Nigeria and the world.
The Most Rev’d Akinfenwa lauded the philanthropic attributes of the deceased, saying he was instrumental to the establishment and proper take-off of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.
He admonished Nigerian leaders to listen to the cries of the masses and carry out a people-oriented policy to preserve the nation’s nascent democracy.
Emeritus Professor Ayodeji Banjo, a globally renowned intellectual, spent over 35 years at the University of Ibadan where he at different times served as head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Chairman Committee of Deans, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and the only two-term Vice Chancellor in the institution.
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