Prof Opeyemi Ajewole ‘Iroko’ indomitable even in death, though fallen, stands tall –

There have been torrential tributes for Prof Opeyemi Isaac Ajewole ‘Iroko’, an accomplished academics, loving husband , caring father , great mentor and a great Forester whose great impacts continue to reverberate even in death.

”Those who think they have cut down the Iroko by terminating the life of Prof Opeyemi Isaac Ajewole are left confounded by the reality of your everalsting impact on life and humanity. Though fallen stands tall as the mighty king of the forest”/

Born March 6, 1962, the late Prof made significant impacts in his 61 years of sojourn on earth until he fell to the evil machinations of the enemies on June 6, 2023 . The events arising from his death must have sent a clear signal to the killers that they had only killed his body as his good works, kind disposition and committed life to humanity continue to linger on.

Late Prof Ajewole, unarguably one of the finest Professors of Forest Economics, Urban and Environmental Forestry that Nigeria has ever produced had more than 30 years experience in teaching, research and consultancy in renewable natural resource economics and environmental management. Unfortunately, while he was working assidously towards protecting the environment , some of the people his actions were meant to protect were planning evil for him. They enjoy the numerous benefits of his urban forestry approach but hated him with so much passion that they took him away forgetting that they have only compounded their woes and have helped him away from the hustling and bustling of this world.

As an internationally recognised Professor, Ajewole had helped to ameliorate the environmental challenges facing Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. He was a consultant Forest Economist with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy, and was also a Consultant National Expert to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Yokohama, Japan on the Promotion of Intra African Trade in Timber and Timber Products. He was solving problems for man but man was planning evil for him. What a world! Little wonder, the scripture confirms that the heart of man is terribly wicked and only God could know it. He was also one of the few scientists that carried out a study on the Impact of Charcoal Production on Biodiversity in Selected Countries of West Africa. He continually enegaged in solving problems for humanity. Alas, men failed him but God lifted him up into a new glory beyond the reach of men.

Iroko as he was fondly called by his numerous admirers was committed to providing a healthy cover for people through his climate change interventions but men decided to remove the shade and cover he provides for his wife, children, family and associates. He had people who his his lifestyle inspires and many who through his lifestyle have migrated from lost hope to hope rising. He was an ebullient character whose presence in any environment would not go unnoticed.

As a Fellow of the Forestry Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body of all Foresters in Nigeria, Ajewole made significant impacts. His humility and ability to relate freely with the the old and the young at the annual conferences of the association was remarkable. He always had the stories, beaming with smiles and gesticulating to drum home his points. Never a dull moment with him! There is noone that would be attending the conference for the first time and would not be amazed by his unique and infectious smiles uncommon in the academia. He was a light-hearted man! Many would miss his humble disposition and magnetic sense of humour.

According to Prof Adekunle Clement Adetogun, A Professor at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, the death of Prof. Ajewole is a truth that is hard to accept. While eulogising the great attributes of Late Prof. Ajewole, Adetogun asserted theat the great memories of dedication and commitment will live on

In his words : ”Ope, the significance of our relationship, your generous heart, your deep insight, your wisdom and sense of humour are immeasurable since our first contact in 1985. Selfishly, one of the worst realizations is that your death sixteen months after the death of Olasina Agbeja is another big loss I will face in my life.

Though your death is a truth that is always hard to accept, however, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will never see you again. Your dedication and commitment to helping others will always be remembered. Rest in peace”.

In an emotion-ladden tribute, Prof Nureni Adedapo Adewole of the University of Ibadan described the Late Prof Ajewole as a contagiously hanrdworking individual who never believed in stock piling unnecessary wealth.

”The Late Prof Isaac Opeyemi Ajewole is a brother, a friend and one of the numerous senior friends that all my family members were indeed closed to. IROKO as he is fondly called by all is unarguably a straight forward personality with obvious sincerity and contagiously hardworking individual.

Egbon Ope will not be bothered for anything (that is why among us all he does not nurse blood pressure). IROKO never believed in stock piling unnecessary wealth and an ardent proponent of “Let’s all do it right for God and man”. He takes life as it comes and is a friend to ALL: students, low and high.

In academic and forest profession, late Prof Ajewole is a respected scholar and eminent authority in the field of Forest Economics and Urban Forestry who has trained many mentees and contributed immensely in his little way to the growth of Forestry. To say that we will miss Bro Ope, IROKO, Egbon mi, is an understatement. I will surely miss a friend, brother, paddy, the Taiwo whom I am Alaba to”

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According to Prof. Kayode Ogunsanwo, a close associate of Late Professor Isaac Opeyemi Ajewole and National Secretary of Forestry Association of Nigeria who incidentally was with him few momets before his death, Prof. Ajewole was an easy-going and kind hearted man.

” Ope was an easy-going, kind-hearted and warm person who does not lust for the things of the world, but always cheers people on, admonishing them to take things easy. His loss has created a great vaccum in my life”

According to a Facebook user, Toba Bankole,

”Prof. Opeyemi Isaac Ajewole, a.k.a Iroko was a #UIte to the core.

Chairman of the great #ZikHall in 1987 as a student.

Later became Hall Warden of #ZikHall and left indelible marks.

BSc., MSc., PhD., Ibadan.

He passed through #UI and UI passed through him

He loved students and students loved him. He is and was the definition of the term “Friend of Students”.