For carving an enviable niche for himself as a successful administrator and academic, a socio-cultural body, the Yoruba Study Group (YSG) has honoured the Acting Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, with a Golden Leadership Excellence Award as the Most Outstanding University Administrator and the Most Distinguished Personality of the Year.
Speaking at the award ceremony held in Akungba on Thursday, May 20, 2021, President of the group, Com. Olusuyi Ajayi, said the YSG chose the Acting VC because he has broken many grounds in university administration, and as a great patriot who has demonstrated unalloyed support to the progressive government of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
He is also a visioner who has followed and implemented the development programmes of AAUA both in the infrastructural and academic advancement sectors of the university.
The group also noted that Prof. Ige has paid his dues as an academic and administrator.
It observed that he has been Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, Dean of Students, and Deputy Vice Chancellor with many publications in local and international journals.
As he puts it, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, you connote different things to different people: to men and women of your generation, you are a pride; to the youth, you are an inspiration; to your staff, you are a tested mentor and an achiever; to Ondo State, you are an asset, and to us in YSG, you are our Akoni Odua.
Comr. Ajayi noted that the awards from the group are conferred on Yoruba men and women who made indelible marks to economic advancement, youth and educational development, as well as community and humanitarian services.
In his remark, Prof. Ige thanked the group for considering him for the award among many other worthy candidates. He promised not to rest on his oars.
His words, “I want to thank the Yoruba Study Group for this award; its indeed a great honour and privilege that my modest contributions at my end here in AAUA, are being noticed and recognised by a national body. I know I am not the only Yoruba man in this geopolitical zone who has excelled in his/her career, but you have chosen me out of thousands to receive this award. I’m indeed honored.”
Prof. Ige added that the award would spur him to continue to do his best despite obvious challenges. This is a great motivation for me, and with this, I will continue to promote Yoruba culture and heritage, and as for the University, I will always be committed to working towards the development of the institution
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