There is so much joy in the air as the authorities of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) announced Prof. Kolawole Adebayo, a 1994 graduate of the University, Pioneer National President of the Alumni and current Director of Academic Planning as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Development.
Prof Adebayo becomes the second alumnus of the University to become the Deputy Vice-Chancellor after Prof Lateef Sanni, the current Executive Director of Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin.
Prof. Kolawole Adebayo is widely known as Amsterdam, a name which has glued to him such that many generations of students may not really know the real name.
According to information available to ValidViewNetwork, Kolawole Adebayo, a Direct Entry students into his set shone like a galaxy of stars. He had a collection of shirts with the inscription ‘AMSTERDAM’. He belonged to the category of guys who would sit in the front row in class and always attempt to answer questions in class. Once a lecturer asks a question, the classmates would say ”that guy Amsterdam will answer it”.
Adebayo went on to win Best All-round Graduating Student Award in 1994. Today, that same Amsterdam is priviledged to sit in the front to see to the growth of the University that had nurtured his dream to reality.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the emergence of Prof. Adebayo as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) came hours after the completion of the 25th Annual Convention of the Alumni Association which he had served meritoriously as the Pioneer President. The good news therefore threw many members of the great association who had just returned home from the convention, into ecstacy mood.
His striking attributes are humility, charisma and timeliness. He is also a fashionista and a proud subscriber to the local ” adire” fabrics.
Kolawole Adebayo is a Professor of Rural Development Communication who had the opportunity to live in town but remained in his rural environment, putting his signature on what he teaches.
Since the announcement , all social media platforms have been bombarded with congratulatory messages. One of such messages authored by Prof Beatrice Olatunde read : ” My brother, I knew this day would come seeing your trajectory. So, I am not surprised at all. I am just happy that I am alive to see you assume the position. I have no doubt about your deliverables with this opportunity to serve our communities. May the good Lord bless you with all that you need to succeed in the position. The sky is just the beginning for you, Big Brother. A big fat hug and lots of love from here. We will get there Insha Jesu”
Another Facebook user, Olokode Akeem Ayobami wrote : ”Congratulations to my Daddy, Professsor Amsterdam; one and only of FUNAAB. I am sending my sincere wishes on this your appointent as the DVC (Development) of FUNAAB. Baba for the boys. May Allah out Baroqah, Idayah and support you in taking FUNAAB to the highest of development. We don’t have an iota of doubt in this capacity of yours on development, It is evidence in SLIDEN AFRICA.”
Prof. Adebayo is a man of many parts multitasking and contributing to the development of humanity. It is the same Adebayo the great scientist and erudite scholar that is well known for his gyration prowess. Adebayo the community leader is also Adebayo the golfer. There is also Adebayo the philantropist silently solving problems and touching lives. There is also Adebayo the grassroot influencer and mobiliser for good governance.
”My first major encounter with him was as the National Secretary of the UNAAB Alumni. We needed his input into a document as the Pioneer National President. I had called to remind him of the document but was shocked that he had read line by line, made input , sealed and waiting to deliver. He complements his academic sagacity with administrative astuteness”, Ogunjobi said.
Prof. Kolawole Adebayo had on Wednesday the 20th April, 2016 delivered the 52nd Inaugural Lecture of the University titled ” Mercenaries and merchants: the dialetics of rural developmeny in Nigeria and had served the University in various capacities, ValidViewNetwork reports.
It wasn’t a surprise to me. Professor Adebayo is naturally endowed with virtues that attract greatness. He taught me while I was pursuing my PhD. A gravitas simplicitas! A noblesse oblige of a typical Muslim who sees generosity as a sacred virtue. He doesn’t discriminate. He is a problem solver. Never complacent, a diehard goal getter. He serves Almighty Allah humbly and never allowed his academic riches to becloud his sense of service to his maker and humanity. A man of refreshing candour. He is ever ready to provide guidance to upcoming researchers whenever his assistance is inevitable. May Almighty God bless him with long life in sound and radiant health.
I congratulate him.