I stand to be counted among few people who knew Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole (IFA) from cradle. We grew up in the same vicinity on a road which was more or less a tributary of a longer Iroye street at Ilesa. The postal address number of his family house is H. 126A Iroye Street, while my own family house is H. 126C Iroye Ilesa. This short adjunct road has produced five Professors, of which four are University of Ibadan Professors.
Professor Adewole, popularly called ‘FOLI’ by all and sundry in our street rose to become a national and international figure and a pride to all of us not only at Iroye street but to all of us in Ijesaland. After a brilliant secondary school performance at the renowned Ilesa Grammar School in 1972, Foli went to the premier University of Ibadan to obtain the MB. BS degree in Medicine 1978. with flying colours winning the Glaxo Allenbury prize for outstanding performance in Pediatrics. After making his mark as a student, Foli returned to his Alma Mater as a lecturer and became a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1997. He later became Head of his Department and then Provost of College of Medicine in 2002. He capped his career at the University of Ibadan as the 11th Vice-Chancellor in 2010.
As the Vice-Chancellor of the premier University in Nigeria between 2010 and 2015, Foli made his mark eloquently. During his tenure he could be credited with the following: :
# improvement in academic excellence in teaching and learning.
# improvement in the infrastructure of the University
#upgrading the welfare of staff and students
# ensuring conducive academic environment
# removal of bottleneck in the governance and administration of the University
# solidification of the financial profile of the University through unprecedented rise in IGR.
In his swan song given in the 2015 Annual Report which he titled “EBENEZER”, he had this to say about his administration in the University:
       “For staff development we ensured regular payment of salaries, maintenance of good health.
       through regular conduct of medical examinations for every member of Staff. Also in 2015
       70 members of Staff were promoted to Professorial cadre (36% Readers,64% Professors0″
Through his administrative and academic sagacity, Ibadan regained its position as No.1 in Nigeria and No,8 in Africa. I have no doubt in my mind that when the history of University of Ibadan is written, Professor Adewole would be highly regarded with deserved encomiums.
Based on his resounding success at the University of Ibadan and on his high regard in the medical field, Professor Adewole was invited to become the Federal Minister of Health in the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari just before he completed his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor in 2015. Again, he performed meritoriously in this task, despite some unnecessary political obstacles.
Professor Adewole’s novel character and academic prowess have been recognized by many professional Institutions both at home and abroad. The latest recognition was from Nile University Abuja where he was awarded DSc. degree (honoris causa). Our Foli is a man of destiny who despite his prodigious achievements. in academics, administration, and politics remains essentially a very humble, urbane and kind man with willingness at any time to be of service to God and humanity. He is a man of good breeding from the enterprising family of Pa. Ben..Adewole, a merchant at Okesa and who lived peacefully at Iroye street at Ilesa. My association with Foli in the last 70 years has been salutary and joyful.
I wish my good Aburo, a happy 70th birthday and a blessed retirement. Despite your retirement, your country and international community still need you and your talents. I pray to God to give you good health in sound mind for you to continue your good work for humanity.
ENJOY YOUR DAY..
PROF. Lucas is of H.126C Iroye Street, Ilesa,Osun StateÂ
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