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Outgoing TASUED VC, Oluwole Banjo, Has Done Well For The University-Don, ‘Niran Adetoro …..As Yemisi Shyllon, Dotun Sanusi Donate To Institution 

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Professor ‘Niran Adetoro, one of the editors of a Festschrift written in honour of the outgoing Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASUED), Professor Oluwole Banjo, has said that he has done well for the university within the five years of his tenure.
Speaking during the unveiling of the book at the TETFUND Hall in the university premises on Thursday, Professor Adetoro, said that the book; “From Farm To Faculty: Planting People and Building Systems” was their own way of honouring Professor Oluwole Banjo for his selfless service to the university.
“The production of this festschrift in honour of Professor Oluwole Banjo, the outgoing Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASUED) represents the collective effort of many individuals, whose dedication and commitment made this volume possible.
“With profound gratitude and deep sense of honour, I wish to acknowledge the numerous individuals and groups whose contributions and goodwill made the production of this Festschrift in honour of Professor Banjo not only possible, but truly memorable.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to Professor Rahman Bello, Chairman of the Governing Council, for graciously writing the foreword of the book.
“His insightful reflections and kind words aptly set the tone for this commemorative volume. Indeed, his words of wisdom provide both inspiration and context to this Volume, setting the tone for the celebrations of a remarkable academic journey,” he said.
The 400-page book is divided into five sections covering his activities as Vice Chancellor, tributes, years of impact and interview.
Some projects donated to the university by Dr Yemisi Shyllon and Eng (Dr) Dotun Sanusi were commissioned earlier in the day.
The projects included a bronze statue of the late Dr Tai Solarin donated by Dr. Shyllon and TASUED Staff Club donated by Eng. Sanusi.
On why he decided to donate the statue, Dr Shyllon said that it was based on his principle about life, which he said started a long time ago.
Dr Shyllon revealed that he has done similar projects for the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Pan Atlantic University, where he said he established the biggest museum in Nigeria.
“TASUED is one of the places I have decided to do this. I still have many more. It is my purpose in life, which is to give and not to receive, which is in line with what is in line with that Winston Churchill said that you live with what you give, you give life.
“I believe very much in giving. There are people who have come to this world who were very rich, but they never left lasting legacy and when they are dead they are forgotten.
“I don’t want to be forgotten, I want to be remembered for my contributions to life. I don’t believe that life is vanity, it is full of many things you can do not make it a vanity. I have helped many people to get Phd through my foundation. I have helped many artists to become somebody in the world and I still continue to do that to leave lasting legacy anywhere I go,” he said.
The philanthropist added that his giving is not only to universities, but that in 2010, he donated 18 sculptural works to the Freedom Park in Lagos State to encourage tourism in Nigeria.
Dr Shyllon added that in Abeokuta, Ogun State, through Professor Funke Ifeta, who handled the Tai Solarin project, he donated 20 feet high Sodeke image, adding that he has done so many things within and outside the university.
He however, urged younger generations need to learn from him, saying that he is writing a book that will help them and guide them on what to do.
He then advised the Nigerian government on the need to do a lot for education, and revealed that the likes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did much to promote education in their time, which he said is why he is doing something to immortalise him.
“On December 5, I am unveiling a bronze sculpture like this for the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He built Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State in 1962 and became the Chancellor in 1967. I observed that people have graduated from the university and they never left a legacy for him.
“That is why I am doing this. The holy book said that we should embrace charity as it is written in I Corinthians 13 verse 13 in the bible and Holy Quran Chapter 18 verse 46. If you read them, you will see why you should show love and leave a legacy for others.
“When I was with my paternal grandmother, one man that I valued so much is the late Tai Solarin. I want to thank Professor Rahman Bello for bringing me here.
“I didn’t think about this until they decided to honour me and I thank Professor Oluwole Banjo, Professor Funke Ifeta and others. I believe that posterity would remember all of us together.
“Coming here is very important to me. I thank you all for the great things you are doing here. I thank Professor Banjo for the selfless things he has done for the university,” he said.
In his comment, Professor Rahman Bello thanked Dr Yemisi Shyllon for the statue and Dr Sanusi for the staff club, which he said is imperative to promote activities in the school compound.
While saying that Dr Shyllon has been a philanthropist that has affected many lives, he said that the staff club is a big facility that will make the university lively, especially at night.
Professor Oluwole Banjo also thanked both Dr Yemisi Shyllon and Dr Dotun Sanusi for the gesture and appreciated them for reaching out to the university, saying that he would always be grateful to them for the gestures.
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