Kishi agog as Oyo Deputy Gov holds civic reception for Oladejo Tijani professorial chair

Kishi town in Irepo Local Government Area of Oyo State was filled to capacity as indigenes of the community from far and near converged to honour Jimoh Oladejo Tijani, a seasoned researcher of repute, home and abroad, on his elevation as Professor of Analytical and Nanochemistry at the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger state. 

Held at the Kishi town Hall on Saturday, the Deputy Governor, who was flanged alongside his wife, Chief (Mrs) Ajibola Lawal at the event, had organized the civic reception in honour of Tijani’s academic attainment of excellence. 

The Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, who chaired the occasion, set the pace for the effusive encomiums that were to follow. 

He described Tijani as a pride of Kishi community, stressing that the civic reception is to showcase the talent of Kishi illustrious sons.

According to him, Oladejo’s attainment to the ranks of professorship has placed kishi on world map because a professor is an international person. 

The Deputy Governor said that individuals like Oladejo must always be recognized and that it is crucial that the Kishi community honour his academic achievements in order to recognise his educational efforts. 

He promised that, he would continue to recognize those with academic excellence from Kishi, regadlsless of religion, saying that the scope of recognizing successful people would be expanded.

Barr. Lawal, however, disclosed that a committee would be established to act as a talent hunt for young people who excel in their chosen careers and for greater opportunities, emphasising that the recognition would take place once or twice a year. 

In addition to encouraging graduates to apply for any positions open by the current government, the Deputy Governor promised to keep helping his kinsmen find employment, just as he had done for a number of persons who had lately visited his home in Ibadan. 

He also urged parents to bring their children to look for work, saying that his efforts to build the Kishi community were partly responsible for his decision to close the Soro market, which he said threatened the town’s safety. 

He declared that he would not permit the community’s youth to be squandered on petty or unlawful pursuits. 

While commending the celebrant for his academic excellence, Barr. Lawal stated that the reward for hard-work is more work and further noted that he would continue to support the celebrant and other notable people from Kisiland.

He said: “As a lover of education, I’ll continue to support. And I thank all of you for coming. In California, they have developed silicon. Elon musk is also making it big through space. We must also prioritize education in Kishi, and thank God we have set on the path, and I pray that we have many Oladejo Jimoh in Kishiland.

“Don’t kill your self because of politics in Kishi land. What matters most is the development of the town. We won’t waste our talents. We are on the path. That is what I am doing. 

“I can not runaway from this community. I’ll continue to support its development. And I pray that the town will continue to develop.”

Earlier in his lecture, the event guest lecturer, Professor Soliu Adelabu, the Oyo State commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, commended Oladejo Tijani for his personal growth despite his young age, pointing out that he had been working hard from his days as a secondary school timekeeper. 

He emphasised that personal growth is always the result of a desire to learn and urged parents to constantly support their children in whatever they have found to be their abilities. 

According to the commissioner, we learn from cradle until we die. Life long learning strive is very important, so, we must never always get tired of learning, and we must also compliment our strives with prayers and supplication. 

Speaking on a topic, “Revitalizing Education In The 21st Century: Preparing Youths For a Changing World”, the commissioner stressed on the need of vertical development against horizontal development as priority.

He noted that education is very important in this 21st century, as he said the world is rapidly becoming digital while calling on parents to ensure that their children are computer literate.

In his words: “Oyo state is giving out job, but it is sad that many of our children didn’t pass. This is not because they are not brilliant, but because they are not computer literate. In this 21st century, handset and social media play an important role. 

“In this 21st century, there is what we call ‘The 4c’s’, which include communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity, for a man to be successful in life.”

The commissioner equally highlighted diversity, media driven, diverse, adaptation, adoption, transfer-by-design, technology, advocacy of human rights, job market, globalization, among others, as essential tools to enhance development, charging the youths to prioritize education which according to him part of vertical development.

He urged the kishi residents to be patriotic about the development of kishi town, saying that patriotism will eventually lead to citizenship, just as he also charged students to cultivate growth mindset no matter what may be the challenges. 

He added that with the assistance of artificial intelligence, people are learning and making it big in the world, tasking people to be eager of learning robotic, machines, renewable energy among others for sustainability.

Adelabu, however, urged on remote work and virtual collaboration technology, to earn millions, emphasizing that the world is no longer evolving around, ‘Sky will be your limit’, but Space will be your limit’, as he said that everyone must have mindset to tailor education for personal development as education is a live long learning. 

He expressed gratitude to the Deputy Governor for honoring kishians who attained academic excellence, noting that five other professors would also be celebrated soon. 

In his goodwill message, the Iba of Kishiland, Oba Aweda Lawal, prayed for the celebrant and wished him success in his endeavor.

He urged the people of Irepo local government to support the deputy governor so that he would always return home, describing him a good man who has been working tirelessly for Oyo State’s progress..

Others who also Spoke at the event, including representative of the vice chancellor of FUTMinna, Saka Abdul-Kareem described Professor Tijjani as a seasoned researcher of repute, home and abroad. 

According to Bioku Bioraj, the president of KPU, Kishi has produced roughly 12 professors, and another three will soon be ranked as professor for their outstanding work. 

He, however, urged the youths to also learn from Prof. Oladejo and wished him success in his endeavor.

In his appreciation, the celebrant, Oladejo Tijani, who was full of tears of joy, thanked everyone for attending the program and also extended deep gratitude to Deputy Governor for being a pillar of support. 

Part of the highlights of the event was presentation of 500,000 to the wife of the celebrant, Suliyat Aduke Tijani by committee of friends.

The event was attended by former Osun SSG, Moshood Adeoti; Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, Professor Soliu Adelabu; Commissioner for Special Duties, Fausat Joke Sanni and the Iba of Kishi land, Oba 

Others were Irepo Local Government Chairman, Hon. TT Taoheed, ably represented by the council Vice Chairman, KPU president, Biyoku Bioraj; PDP party Chairman, Hassan Odejide; Olori Fauziyat Aderibigbe, Chief Bello Aderonke; Ajoki Mama, JS Amodu; Hussein Yusuf Ijabah; Alhaji Sikirullah Moasoroju, Irepo House of Assembly Leader, Sassay; PDP, APC memebrs and community leaders.