70 Hearty Cheers To Prof. A.R. T.  Solarin,  A Mathematical Icon And Transformational Leader – Kayode Ogunjobi

Seventy hearty congratulations to Prof Adewale Roland Tunde, a man of impeccable character and diverse attributes who has contributed immensely to service of God Almighty, human capacity development and the upliftment of many directly and indirectly.

Between April 5, 1954 and April 5, 2024, he has enjoyed the grace of God Almighty and is not taking it for granted. He has used every opportunity that he has to speak about the grace of God Almighty about himself and his family little wonder the grace multiplies.

He is a foremost professor of Mathematics who has produced many great Mathematicians scattered all over the world and he carries an aura of humility. He is equally a life coach whose life experiences and dispositions have helped greatly in shaping the lives of many either directly or indirectly.

Since September 1997 when he was appointed a Professor till date he has demonstrated his knowledge and wisdom beyond the four walls of the classroom transforming his mathematical experiences to real life issues in the church, community and other spheres of life.

I got to know him around year 2000 and later closely around year 2002. He has very unique attributes. He is a good listener! You will never see him truncating a narrative because of his opposing view or conviction. He has the grace and courtesy to allow anyone speaking to successfully complete whatever they had to say regardless of their age or status. With his cool mien, he would screen every sentence and came up with his submission without shaming the other opinions.

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One of the key principles I learnt from him is KISS. Keep it straight and simple. He would make his point without any ambiguity.

Prof ART Solarin is fun to be with, very amiable personality and jovial. He is a man full of the wisdom of God always speaking from depth regardless of the situation and circumstances.

Despite the challenges of his office as the Deputy Vice- Chancellor of the University, he found time for his bodily exercises, friends, church , socials and others. He is a total man.

Speaking as the Chairman of our wedding reception in 2006, he had elucidated the principle of KISS beyond the bedroom and advocated for its adoption in all spheres of life.

He is a transformational leader who is enveloped with incorruptible desire to make life better for others without them knowing and without expecting credit for it. I recall some years back that I had visited him with a friend who was applying for a post. We discussed the application of my friend and other issues, took some juice and groundnut . We had wrapped up the discussion and we were already on our way out of his gate when he mentioned to me ‘’ Is there nothing you could apply for in the advert?’’. Prior to this time, it never occurred to me that I needed to apply as I had a job and was enjoying my job. He was thinking about my wellbeing ahead of me. Once the seed had been planted, it was not difficult for it to be nurtured. He did not only ensure that the seed was nurtured, he saw it to a logical conclusion as he rose to remove the impediment that was on the way to the actualisation of the dream. That is leadership!

I am in a position to know that he committedly used every office he had occupied to lift people. He takes pleasure in elevating people , making them better rather than diminishing their status and potentials. The testimonies abound!

I am in a position to know that from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta to National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, and other endeavours, he invested his resourcefulness and transformational traits in raising people.

I see in him a man who believes and practices what  he preaches. His becoming the Vice- Chancellor of the University was almost as certain but suddenly there was a tilt. Despite the circumstances, not a single unhonourable word came from him at any point in time. He did not allow the situation and comments of people around him to rub on his personal conviction he had built for years. He knew his life and what he carried was bigger than any position. He was never myopic as he saw the larger picture and opted for greater glory.

He is a Professor with a unique passion and drive for the pulpit. His church in Abeokuta since early 2000 has been a home for many students. Beyond the spiritual, he keeps impacting physical, mental and financial wellness on the parishoners. For decades, the church remains focused on its mandate . Despite his very busy schedules, he has never left the sheep without leadership. He is never oblivious of the strength of his meteoric rise to stardom which is Jesus Christ.

I recall while he was the Chief Executive Officer of National Mathematical Centre, Abuja and I was Pastor in a young church. I had invited him as a Guest Minister for a special program tagged ‘’ God of All Possibilities’’ and he made time to attend very early on a Saturday. I must mention that it is in his character to arrive early for invitations.  An embodiment of humility, he went on to do the Master Business under the canopy . The experience in the Parish on that day lives on.

He is a lover of sport. Most people would be surprised with what he can do with his size. He keeps his engine in tune with his body. I recall he had a collection of fitting jersies. One in particular caught my fancy as he pointed to what was written on it to drum home a point during one of our chats. He is not just a Mathematician but he lives and radiates mathematics.

A good dancer whose body is configured such that he does not struggle to wriggle his body to fit into any style or step. I have seen him a couple of times dancing in the church the way the Biblical David would dance. I saw him dancing during the wedding of one of his children and can confirm that he is a lovely dancer. I have some of the videos and hope some others will emanate as he celebrates his 70^th birthday.

Beyond the classroom, conference room and the pulpit, Prof. A.R.T. Solarin is also a community man who strongly believes in the enhancement of traditional institutions. He is an advocate of ‘’Beyond Boundaries’’ when it comes to ensuring that the brightness becomes brighter. I recall a couple of years ago when he shared a narrative with us.  In his words. : ‘’If you have a lighted candle and you keep it to yourself, the brightness will only be where you are. However, if you allow other candles to catch the light from you, the brightness becomes brighter.’’

God has blessed him with a woman of faith who has added so much value into his value. I listened to the testimony of his beautiful wife many years back and it was a great source of inspiration. A man is not successful without successful and godly children and that is why I congratulate our dear mentor and leader, Prof. A.R.T Solarin for replicating the virtues in the life of the children. It is never easy!

As he celebrates his 70^th birthday today, it is my prayer that God Almighty will continue to keep this iconic icon and transformational leaders for us in good health and sound mind making his impact greater than that of yesteryears.

Dr Kayode Ogunjobi is one of the numerous beneficiaries of the transformational leadership prowess of Professor A.R.T. Solarin.