By Our Staff Reporter
The Asípa of Ogbomosoland and retired Permanent Secretary of the Federation, Sir Barrister Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle, OON, KJW, is set to be honoured as a University of Ilorin Ambassador for his outstanding contributions to the promotion of the ideals, image and development of the institution.
The prestigious award will be conferred on Sir Adeyemi Adekunle on Monday, August 17, 2026, at a special ceremony scheduled to hold at the University Auditorium, University of Ilorin, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Sir Adeyemi Adekunle, who is also the immediate past President of the prestigious Ogbomoso First Group, is being recognised for his sustained commitment to promoting the ideals and image of the University of Ilorin, as well as his academic engagement and public representation, which the university said have consistently projected the institution in a favourable light.
He will receive the honour alongside other distinguished Nigerians, including the immediate past Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Emeritus Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON; the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Engineer Bayo Ojulari; and the proprietor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Chief AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, OFR.
The award ceremony is part of the University of Ilorin’s initiative to recognise distinguished alumni, friends and other individuals whose contributions have positively impacted the university and the wider society.
According to the Chairman of the Planning Committee for the ceremony, Professor Waheed Babatunde Yahya, the honourees were carefully selected from hundreds of nominees based on their records of achievement, service and contributions to the development of the university and the nation.
Professor Yahya disclosed this during an interview with newsmen at his office on Monday, August 3, 2026.
He explained that the ceremony would be held under the chairmanship of the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mr Sonny S. T. Echono, while renowned legal practitioner, Mr Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, SAN, would serve as the guest speaker.
Among those to be honoured is Emeritus Professor Oloyede, an outstanding alumnus and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, who served as Vice-Chancellor from 2002 to 2012. He is expected to be formally celebrated for his distinguished service and achievements, particularly his tenure at JAMB.
Other notable personalities to be recognised for their contributions to the university and national development include Engineer Bayo Ojulari; Mrs Victoria Adunola Samson, Director of the Board of BOVAS Petroleum Services Limited; Chief Olusola Adekanola, a distinguished chartered accountant; and Chief AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, OFR, proprietor of Al-Hikmah University.
Professor Yahya, who is also the Director of the University Advancement Centre, disclosed that nine illustrious graduates of the university would receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.
They include the Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesha, Osun State, Oba Jacob Adetayo Haastrup; the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Shaykh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nollah; Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Miller Dantawaye; the Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Professor Olusegun Omoniyi Ige; and Professor Patrick Adegoyega.
Others are the Vice-Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University, Delta State, Professor Samuel O. Aghalino; NNPC top executive, Mr AbdulRasheed Ojulari; the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Professor Lateef Folorunso Oladimeji; and the Vice-Chancellor of the Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin, Professor Medinat Folorunso Salman.
Eighteen other outstanding alumni are also expected to receive the prestigious University of Ilorin Ambassador Award.
They include the Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, NNPC, and Dan Amana Geri of the Ilorin Emirate, Dr Abdulkadir Tunji Nagode; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sobi 101.9 FM, Ilorin, Dr Lukman Olayiwola Mustapha; Chief Mufassir and Mufti of Osogbo, Shaykh AbdulLateeff Yusuf Abajaoro; senior military officer, Colonel Kolawole Rasheed; and Chief Executive Officer of Item 7 Confectionery Services, Ilorin, Mr Ibigbemi Oloruntobi.
Other recipients of the UNILORIN Ambassador Award include renowned urologist, Professor Olusola Andrews; award-winning microbiologist, Professor Olatunji Matthew Kolawole; former Dean of Student Affairs, University of Ilorin, Professor Musa Toyin Yakubu; Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN; Lagos-based legal practitioner, Aare M’sbaudeen Adeyemi Adeshina, SAN; and Vice-President, Health Services, Shell International, Dr Femi Oduneye.
The list also includes the incumbent Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade; Dr Emmanuel Edem Ikpeme; and Mrs Jane Odum, who is based in the United States.
Professor Yahya further listed Director at the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Abubakar Rahmat Salihu; former Director at the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr Babatunde Kuye; and Mr Olusoji Oyawoye among the new UNILORIN Ambassadors.
He said the university would continue to identify and honour deserving alumni, friends and associates whose achievements and contributions have advanced the institution and contributed to national development.
He added that the recognition was also designed to encourage hard work, excellence, patriotism and continued service to humanity.
Professor Yahya therefore urged the families, friends and colleagues of the honourees, members of staff, alumni and the general public to attend the ceremony punctually.
For Sir Barrister Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle, the honour represents another recognition of a distinguished career marked by public service, leadership, academic engagement and commitment to the development of Ogbomosoland, the University of Ilorin and Nigeria at large.
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