The University has held a Commendation Service in honour of its late Don, Dr. Solomon Olubiyo, of the Department of Economics, who was also the Deputy Dean, College of Management Sciences (COLMAS) of FUNAAB, before his demise.
Delivering his sermon, Professor Adewale Dipeolu, Deputy Chaplain, Chapel of Grace of FUNAAB, recalled that he had known the deceased since 1987, when he came for his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and served as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management of FUNAAB and that fate had brought them together again as neighbours in the United Kingdom, where they were together for about one year before he (Olubiyo) returned to the University in 2011 as a lecturer in COLMAS.
Professor Dipeolu implored all to take solace that the deceased had gone to be with the Lord where he will know no sorrow, suffering and tears. He admonished the congregation to give everything to God and leave behind good legacies when they are no more. The Deputy Chaplain, however, extolled the virtues of the deceased, saying he pursued righteousness, love, faith, peace, goodness, gentleness and meekness, noting that the late Deputy Dean did not die in vain.
In his tribute, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Adekojo Waheed, said the loss was like a dream even though we cannot question God. According to the Vice-Chancellor, losing a dear one was a ‘cruel’ certainty that affects us in different ways, adding that in a time like this, one feels like one’s most vital parts had been taken-away. He disclosed that the University Senate would miss his invaluable contributions as well his former colleagues, being the foundation Deputy Dean of COLMAS. Professor Oyewole urged the wife and the children of the deceased to be strong because the sweet memories of Dr. Olubiyo would always bring solace at this time of grief.
Speaking at the service, the Acting Dean of COLMAS, Dr. Biola Phillips, described Dr. Olubiyo as a diligent fellow, who offered selfless services to humanity in addition to being an honest and objective person, noting that he would be greatly missed. Dr. Phillips was represented at the occasion by Mr. Jonathan Ekpudu while the Acting Head, Department of Economics, Dr. Sunday Posu, stated that the sudden exit of the late Deputy Dean was a great shock to everyone in the College, saying that he always carried out his duties timely, effectively and efficiently.
The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-UNAAB), Dr. Festus Adeosun, on behalf of the Union, eulogised Dr. Olubiyo for being a non-compromising colleague, very respectful and always willing to help everyone, as he appealled to all to take comfort in the fact that he contributed his quota to the upliftment of the society. The daughter of the deceased, Miss. Funmilayo Olubiyo, described her father as a kind, happy, responsible and respectful to everyone; irrespective of age or status, adding that he was a hard worker.
Similarly, Mr. Lasisi Kazeem, who gave tributes on behalf of students in the Department of Economics, said he was a father, mentor, motivator, teacher to the core and a hard-worker, who touched lives tremendously, saying that he was so humble that he even accorded respect to students while the deceased’s bosom friend, Ibrahim Nasiru, described him as a truthful, fearless and very committed man, who lived and died for humanity.
