On Thursday, August
12, 2004, Professor
Jimoh Mosobalaje Olaloye, Oyawoye, the first African Professor of Geology turned 78.
As a devout Muslim, the occasion was marked with special prayers attended by Muslim faithfuls, friends, well wishers, relations and associates from within Kwara State and beyond where the Holy Quran was recited several times.
Professor Oyawoye was born on August 12, 1927 at Offa to Prince Monmodu Oyawoye of Anilelerin Royal family of Offa and Alhaji Sellia Amoke from both Ila-Sellia Amoke and Ikirun Royal families. He was one of the pioneer students of the famous Offa Grammar School, Offa in 1942 and transferred to Ibadan Grammar school where he completed his secondary education in 1949.
In 1952 Professor Oyawoye entered Washington, USA to study Geology and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with honours in Geology in 1955. And in the following year he started a post-graduate programme at the University of Durham in the United Kingdom and was awarded Doctor of Philosophy Degree of that University in 1959.
He returned to Nigeria in 1960 and was employed at the University of Ibadan as a Geology lecturer in the Department of Geology.
Because of his commitment to academic excellence Professor Oyawoye was able to persuade the university to establish a full fledge department of Geology in view of the emerging petroleum industry and the manpower challenges in the country.
Professor Oyawoye was proved right in the light of tremendous achievement which Nigeria recorded in the Petroleum industry sooner than later. His academic career was meteoric and within six years he reached the top to become the first African Professor of Geology in 1966 and was appointed Head of Geology department of the University, two years later.
Because of his achievements, Professor Oyawoye was given Alumni Achievement Award by Washington State University in 1984 and awarded Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists in 1991 and was made Honorary Citizen of Leobwork USA in 1970. He was also awarded the Right Hon. Nnamdi Azikiwe Medal in year 2000 and was decorated with the National Honour of OON.
As Chairman of the OAU Team of Experts in Inter-Africa Center for Earth Sciences, Professor Oyawoye promoted the awareness among African countries of the economic importance of a strong Geological survey staffed with indigenous Geologists particularly in the Eastern and Southern African countries that depended on mining.
His important contribution in this regard was the establishment of the Zambian School of Mines in the University of Zambia which he initiated and pursued personally with the former President of Zambia, Mr. Kenneth Kaunda.
He guided the newly established school of Mines to reality in 1976. In appreciation of his efforts and contribution to the establishment of the school he was appointed roving professor of the University of Zambia with the freedom to go and come as he pleases for three years.
Another major achievement recorded by Professor Oyawoye in the international arena was the establishment of the Geological society of Africa which he spare-headed. And in recognition of his immense contribution to the establishment of the Society, he was elected the founding President and the First Fellow of the Society.
He was the first African member of the Board of International Geological Correlation Programme and was later elected Vice President of this prestigious body.
Professor Oyawoye for several years, served as external examiner in Geology at several Universities including University of Ghana, University of Kenya and University of Sudan.
He was one of the active members of the University of Ibadan community and served in several committees of the university Senate and Council.
As a man of principle, Professor Oyawoye resigned his appointment at Ibadan University suddenly in 1977 in protest against the then military government encroachment on University autonomy and the authority of the Senate.
One of the achievements he recorded at the University of Ibadan was in the department of Geology. That department was transformed within few years of being the smallest in the faculty of science to one of the most important departments of the university. The magnificent geology building at Ibadan financed from grant raised from petroleum industry by Professor Oyawoye is indeed a monumental achievement and a tribute to his leadership quality.
Today, his students dominate executive positions in the mining and petroleum industry. No wonder Professor Oyawoye is fondly called “Father of Geology” in Nigeria.
Another major monument left behind by Professor Oyawoye at the University of Ibadan was the University Institute of Applied Science and Technology, which he initiated and solely responsible for the preparation of the project documents submitted to the Canadian government International Aid Agency and the follow-up activities leading to the establishing of the institute. He became its first -ordinator.
Also a major achievement by Professor Oyawoye at Ibadan University was the establishment of University College in Plateau State. The project which was his brainchild was brought to Professor Adeoye Lambo the then vice-chancellor as a major initiative which the university should take and which could provide unique research and teaching opportunities in Geology and Agriculture in view of the geological setting and mineral rich granite and the cool climate of the Plateau. He assisted Professor Lambo to pilot the project through a hostile Senate and hesitant Council of the University of Ibadan.
At the national level, Professor Oyawoye served the nation meritoriously at various levels and at different times as member, Nigeria Council for Science and Technology 1970 - 1974, member Ibadan University Council 1970-1976 member, first board of Federal Capital Development Authority 1976-1980; Chairman West African Examination Council (WAEC) 1985 -1988 Chairman, Kaduna Refining and Petroleum Company (NNPC) 1989 - 1993 and Chairman, Federal College of Education Yola. (1989 - 1993).
This unique Nigerian is currently chairman of a unique and truly great bank - The Guaranty Trust Bank Plc - a bank which is gradually wearing the toga of a leading bank in Nigeria.
It is necessary to make a special mention of the establishment of the Kwara state College of Technology (now Kwara Polytechnic) which today stands as a great achievement of Professor Oyawoye in Kwara state. The college of technology was founded based on his advice to Governor David Bamigboye as the best way to give competitive edge to Kwara State students seeking to enter universities.
He later became its founding chairman and worked vigorously to bring the college to maturity within three years, gaining for it, national and international recognition particularly Cambridge University Examination Syndicate which agreed to conduct ‘A level’ Examination for the college.
A devout Muslim, Professor Oyawoye is the Chairman of Jama’atu Nasir Islam (J.N.L) in Kwara state.
The magnificent Central Mosque Offa came to being, from his initiative and fund raising efforts assisted by like-minds.
The hallmark of a great leader is his ability to lead by personal example. Professor Oyawoye is a unique leader who is leading by personal example. He is simple and humane; and one man who has always had the fear of God in him. He preaches unity, peace and understanding.
Yusuf a veteran journalist writes from Ilorin, and is a former General Manager of Radio Kwara and Herald Newspaper respectively.
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