Bamitale Omole @ 70: A Teacher, Preacher, and Administrator
By Mojeed Akin-Akingbolu
Putting a tribute together in honour of an exceptional individual in the society can be a daunting task especially if the person is a man of many parts. Today, as the world celebrates Idowu Bamitale Omole, a Professor of International Relations and former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile Ife, as he turns 70, one is compelled to wonder how he has been able to combine everything and excel in the country such as Nigeria.
Yes, only a few people are created to be masters in more than one field and Prof. Tale Omole is one of those few. Though a rich mind in international affairs, a known name in the committee of former Vice-Chancellors, he’s passionate about his faith and his country’s international affairs. Unfortunately, these unique attributes were hidden within the four walls of OAU and among a few global stakeholders in international relations until 2011 when he was appointed, with overwhelming support from various quarters, as the 10th substantive Vice-Chancellor of one of Nigeria’s best Universities, the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Like a child who’s destined to make an indelible mark in life, the build up to Omole’s ascendancy to the office gave the university community a hint of what to expect under him. Though like every contest, he crossed a few ‘political’ hurdles before he clinched the position, available records still show that Prof. Omole got the greatest endorsement ever in the history of the university. His candidature didn’t only cut across all interests, his victory was celebrated across board. Four years after, those who supported Omole were enthusiastic to showcase his outstanding scorecards, while a few, who were indifferent prior to his emergence, had been ‘converted’ fully by his legacy achievements.
As Vice-Chancellor, Omole’s scholastic backgrounds in politics and diplomatic studies became a strong tool in human management, while his Christian faith made the difference in defining Omole as a leader with a human face. As a University administrator, Tale Omole wasn’t ruthless, yet firm, he was approachable but disciplined and like all successful leaders, he was not a pushover. Yes, Prof. Tale Omole is a born again Christian and Pastor, this hasn’t affected his relationship with friends, colleagues and students from other faiths. Not a few past students of this erudite scholar have attested to this rare attribute. With the combination of all these attributes, it became extremely difficult for those who had become natural critics of successful administrations in Ife to pin down Omole with any blemish.
In OAU history, Prof. Omole stands tall till today as one man who achieved so much as Vice Chancellor but prefers to remain a quiet achiever, with little or no deliberate media relation stunt. For instance, while in office, OAU was for four consecutive years (2011–2014) ranked number one by Webometrics. The university also invested heavily in student wellness and services. The university embarked on an aggressive fundraising drive which was deemed successful. Perhaps the most celebrated of his achievements was how his administration embarked on 30 major capital projects and used the various projects to take infrastructural development in the school a notch higher. Among the projects were; construction of an Olympic size swimming pool, moot court, university hall, a 12-storey Senate building (Jubilee House), and rehabilitation of others.
Also worthy of mentioning is the fact that Prof. Omole led the university to win an $8m grant from the World Bank, to establish an African Centre of Excellence, with specific focus on the OAU Knowledge Park. All these and many other achievements must have informed the torrent of commendations and endorsements enjoyed by him and his four-year tenure. One of such commendations was the well-worded lines by the Chancellor of the University, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar (The ETSU Nupe). According to the respected monarch, “Omole will be remembered for a number of achievements but most especially for ensuring that the students are taught and given skills that are required for them to compete in the job market.” He added that the feat recorded by this Professor of International Relations was notable in terms of physical, infrastructure upliftment and development of the university. His milestone according to him was recognized for initiating the reengineering and repositioning of Great Ife as a twenty first century, World Class African University.
Following Omole’s outstanding performance as OAU VC, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the former Governor of Ekiti State, could not resist the urge to beckon on this Oye-Ekiti born academic to come and impact the Ekiti State University with his wealth of experience. Thus, Tale Omole was drawn from his shell and made the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti in 2019.
Besides, in 2021, he was equally appointed as the Chair of the Visitation Panel to the Lagos State University, Ojo, by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Also, he had been made the Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission/Visitation Panel to the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, by the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State. The reports submitted by his committees have in a way restored sanity to the two Universities. Prof. Omole is associated with some other Universities in Nigeria before and after leaving the seat of Vice-Chancellor of OAU in 2016. His service is not limited to the Nigerian University System. He has consulted for some organisations, including the UNDP and taught in some other Universities outside the country.
Outside the University, Omole has also stood out as a preacher, orator and administrator. At the 5F Conference 2023, Grande Finale with the theme: A Future that Counts, Prof. Omole, again released his spiritual and oratory arsenal and by the time he finished his biblical teaching which was laced with relevant biblical passages, innuendos and experiences, his listeners could hardly draw the line between Omole, the VC and Omole, the Pastor. His position in life notwithstanding, the former VC reminded the participants in the conference that what matters in God’s kingdom isn’t the position held in this part of the divide but the efforts made towards salvation of the soul. Also at the unveiling of the OAU 50th Anniversary logo, the erudite scholar was at his best as he reeled out the different milestones that had been recorded by OAU over the years and the benefits of the anniversary celebration to the institution. It is also necessary to add that Omole’s managerial skill and credibility became a public knowledge when he served as the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer for Osun State Gubernatorial election and successfully midwifed what pundits thought would be an electoral stillborn.
Born on September 1954 in Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria, Prof. Bamitale Omole attended Methodist High School, Ilesa between 1966 and 71 for his secondary education and later attended Government College, Ibadan, between 1971 and 1973 for his Advanced Levels, winning multiple prizes at both colleges. In September 1973, he proceeded to the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, Nigeria, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in history in 1976. In 1981, he obtained an MA degree in history from the University of Ife. He later proceeded to the University of Bordeaux, France for a M.Phil. and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) degree in international relations. Omole speaks and writes in French fluently. In 1991, he obtained a diploma in International Law and organisation for development from the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, Netherlands.
He began his career as an assistant lecturer in 1986 at Obafemi Awolowo University after he obtained a Doctorate degree in International Relations and rose through the ranks to be appointed a professor of international relations. As part of his numerous academic, administrative and public policy assignments, Omole has extensively lectured in Africa, Europe, and Asia. He has also served as a technical consultant to various international organisations. Prior to becoming Vice-Chancellor, he was at various times Head of Department of International Relations, Vice Dean of the faculty of Administration and Dean of the Faculty of Administration. He served for two terms on the university’s Governing Council. His areas of teaching and research interest are – International economic relations, International relations of the Francophone states, African government and politics, Regional integration and International development. He was a visiting scholar at the Korea Foundation and the University of Bordeaux.
On his 70th birthday, one can only say of this renowned academic colossus that he is a blessing to his generation and the generation yet unborn.
Akin-Akingbolu writes from the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, OAU, Ile-Ife.
