Accolades as Kwara, Academics, Students Remember Late KWASU VC, Akanbi

•  KWASU’s SUG hosts 6th students Leadership Summit, Empowerment 

The Kwara State Government on Wednesday again paid tribute to the late Vice-Chancellor of the State University (KWASU) Malete, Prof. Muhammad Mustapha Akanbi, describing him as a strong and value-driven administrator in his lifetime.

The government said this in Ilorin at the 6th Students Leadership Summit and Empowerment of the Kwara State University Students’ Union, affirming that Prof. Akanbi was exceptionally upright.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, who represented the governor at the occasion, said Akanbi was a team player that played active roles in transforming KWASU. 

“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 found Akanbi worthy to be honoured at this year’s Leadership Summit in view of his contributions to the university, with the theme: ‘A Colossus that Bestrode the Planet Earth: The Life and Time of Prof MM Akanbi’.

Akanbi was appointed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in April 2020 and he died two and a half years after.

“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 describe an administrator in those words in the same sentence,” he said. 

The governor said for students to speak good about the late vice-chancellor means a lot, urging the youths, especially students of 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 queried, praying to God to continue to bless the soul of the deceased.

At the event were various dignitaries and some government officials including the Kwara First Lady, Ambassador (Mrs) Olufolake AbdulRazaq, who was represented by Dr. Funsho AbdulRazaq; Mutawalle Ilorin and Chairman of the occasion, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq ably represented by Dr. Ghali Alaya; Acting VC of KWASU, Prof. Shaykh Luqman Jimoh; Dean, Students Affairs, KWASU, Prof. Moshood Mahmud Jimba; representative and wife of the honoree, Mrs. Shakirat Mustapha Akanbi; Guest Speaker of the occasion and Vice-Chancellor, Ojaja University Eyenkorin, Prof. Jeleel Sijuade; former VC Federal University of Technology Minna, Prof Musbau Akanji; Alhaji Sa’ad Salau; Alhaji Bashir Adigun; President Students’ Union KWASU, Israel Jesutofunmi; and some family members of the honoree, among others.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, KWASU, Prof Shaykh Luqman Jimoh, in his remarks, said the late Akanbi was a visionary and academic luminary and exemplary administrator, whose tenure was filled with unwavering commitment and passion for transformative education.

He said the university has resolved 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 the 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,” Jimoh said.

Mutawalle Ilorin and chairman of the occasion, Dr. AbdulRazaq, who was represented by Dr. Ghali Alaya, said the institution owes a duty to maintain the good legacy of Akanbi, and to continue to execute what he had as wishes and aspirations for the University.

Prof Sijuade, 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.

Sijuade, who is a close confidant of Akanbi, said the late VC was a man of great vision, focus, contentment, generosity, discipline, trustworthiness and commitment to the growth of humanity. 

Akanji, for his part, said Akanbi was in a hurry to impact the lives of hundreds of thousand lives, and urged Akanbi’s family to take solace in the fact the late VC lived a good life.