TASUED honours HID, Obasanjo with doctorate degrees

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NIGERIA: THREE days after her burial, the late matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, often called HID, would be conferred with a doctorate degree.

The pioneer education specialised university in Nigeria, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, has decided to award HID the post-humous honorary PhD in Business Education.

The decision followed the university’s prior decision to honour former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, with honorary doctorate degree in Political Science.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oluyemisi Obilade, conveyed this decision to Obasanjo when members of the university Governing Council and management paid courtesy visit to him at his Presidential Hilltop, Abeokuta home.

Obilade explained that the honorary awards to HID, whose husband pioneered free education in the old Western Region, and Obasanjo would be part of the university’s 10th anniversary and 2015 convocation slated for November 28.
The vice-chancellor said that the decision to confer the award on HID was in recognition of her passion for education, business acumen and service to humanity while she was alive.
Obilade, in a letter to the Awolowos, said: “We are delighted to inform you that the University Governing Council has approved the recommendations of the Senate to honor the matriarch, Chief (Mrs.) H.I.D Awolowo, with the post humous degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.Ed) (Honoris Causa) in Business Education of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, (the premier University of Education in Nigeria) at the forthcoming 2015 Convocation and 10th year Anniversary Ceremonies scheduled to hold at 10:00am on Saturday, 28th November, 2015 at the University Auditorium, Ijagun Main Campus.”
“This award is in recognition of her passion for education, business acumen and numerous contributions to the advancement of human race in Nigeria,” the vice-chancellor said, adding: “The University takes special cognizance of her being a role model and legendary example of womanhood, leadership and family support.”

Obilade stated further: “The University joins well-meaning Nigerians in celebrating the enviable worth of mama and her outstanding legacy in the service of humanity. We also congratulate you and your family on the noble achievement. May the Almighty God uphold the Awolowo family and keep them united.”

The vice-chancellor said Obasanjo deserved the award because it was under his administration that the university was licensed on November 28, 2005.

She explained that it was a unanimous decision of the university’s Governing Council following the overwhelming recommendation of the Senate, to appreciate Obasanjo for his unalloyed support to the University, contributions to the educational development of the country and his selfless service to humanity in general.
Obasanjo, while appreciating the gesture, accepted the doctorate degree and stressed that “TASUED has a glorious history of existence and I am happy to associate with the university.”
He emphasised: “I almost took a decision that I will not accept doctorate degrees from any university, but if I can take honorary degrees from Moscow and Beijing, then I can’t resist that of TASUED.”
The ex-President added: “The man that the university is named after was a foremost educationist who gave his very best to education in Nigeria.

“I therefore congratulate TASUED, I plan to attend the convocation, but when I come to your University, I will walk around and see how far you have gone.”

Among the team from the university who visited Obasanjo were Chief Derin Adebiyi, Mulikat Salau, and Tunde Oladunjoye, who is also the Chairman of the Media Sub-Committee for the 10th Anniversary; Deputy Vice-Chancellor,  Abayomi Arigbabu; the Bursar, Mr. Ifeoluwa Odusanya, and Director of Protocol, Gbenga Omilola, and Nuraen Bakenne.