Dignitaries

HRM Oba (Dr.) Adedokun Abolarin, Aroyinkeye 1, The Orangun of Oke Ila Orangun. He is a First Class Oba in Yorubaland.

Oba Abolarin is the Founder of Abolarin College, Oke-Ila-Orangun, in the State of Osun, a school set up to fight poverty through education and strictly for indigent students across all parts of Nigeria. Kabiyesi is also a member of the college’s teaching staff where he teaches Government as a subject and instructs students on styles and etiquette. Kabiyesi is widely noted as having contributed to the improvement of lives of people within and outside of his domain. His culture of teaching, counselling, and mobilizing everyone for civic responsibilities can never be overemphasized.

 HRM Dokun Abolarin obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Master’s degree in International Relations, and LLB Degree, all from Obafemi Awolowo University.

He has a good and varied background in government services, having served as a Board Member of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation and as Special Adviser to the Senate President (Legal Matters) between 2000 and 2003 and variously as Legal Consultant to many committees of the Senate and most especially, the Senate Majority Leader.

Since ascending the throne as the Orangun of Oke-Ila in 2006 he has concentrated on improving the governance at the grassroots level and educating the people. Despite the onerous task of governance, he is actively involved in promoting knowledge management through regular public and academic lectures. By virtue of his experience as a Lecturer in tertiary institutions over a span of ten years, he interacts very well with both young and old people alike. Kabiyesi is a lover of little children and youths.

His leadership qualities and philanthropic passion for Great Ife is unparalleled and this earned him a Distinguished Alumnus Award by the University during the 60-year Anniversary in 2022. Despite his busy schedule, Kabiyesi is passionately involved on social media and in several organizations in matters that involve the Great Ife Global Alumni Association and driving efforts to give back to the great citadel of learning.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa fondly called “Mother Theresa of the tube” prides herself in her outstanding career as a broadcaster. She spent 15 years of distinguished and meritorious service at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). While in NTA she gained a strong understanding of the industry because of her dedication, inquisitiveness, and professionalism. She anchored the weekly NTA News line program to the delight of millions of Nigerians irrespective of their tribe or religion. Hon. Dabiri warmed her way into the hearts of many with her gallantry efforts of using television as an effective tool to draw attention to the Millions of Nigerians suffering from the pains of poverty and injustice. Her commitment and passionate dedication to duty while working on several heart touching News line stories stood her out and endeared her to many. We all still remember her bravery while investigating the story of little Mary, the miracle baby for 8 years.

A firm believer in the importance of service to humanity, she voluntarily retired from the services of the Nigerian Television Authority to contest as a member of the House of Representative and swept the poll with a landslide victory. While in the House, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa distinguished herself by working tirelessly and was one of the lawmakers that stood against the third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. As Chairman Media, she worked at giving the House a credible image through absolute openness and transparency, And as Chairman House Committee on Diaspora Affairs (June 2008 till 2015), her major spotlight was in her advocacy and calls for justice and fairness for Nigerians abroad. 

She voluntarily did not seek re-election for a 4th term in the parliament.  In her words “Let’s give others a chance”.  She served as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora from 2016- 2019, and now she has been appointed Pioneer Executive Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission a position she is serving with diligence, effectiveness and passion. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has been a voice for the voiceless and remains a symbol of hope and inspiration to many. Her comportment, integrity, virtues and ideals are indeed qualities worthy of emulation, and her guiding philosophy at all time is that, success is not about age, it is not about character, it is not by how much you have but how many lives you are able to touch.

During the 5^th Great Ife Alumni International Reunion in 2008 in Oakland, CA, Hon Dabiri-Erewa was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Excellence. She was also a recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University during the 60-yr Anniversary celebrations in 2022.

Dr. Akintoye Akindele is an investor, entrepreneur, lecturer, and philanthropist. He is the Founder of Platform Capital, a growth market-focused, sector agnostic, principal investment firm. Platform Capital deploys patient, value accretive capital alongside international and local value investors to create champion businesses with the ability for regional scale. It has 15+ investments in multiple sectors across the world.

Dr. Akindele is also a faculty member at the University of Lagos Business School, lecturing on finance and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Akindele completed his tertiary education in Nigeria, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering with honors from the Obafemi Awolowo University. He received a doctorate degree in Business Administration (Finance) from the International School of Management - Paris, France. Dr. Akindele is a CFA charter holder and a trustee of the CFA society of Nigeria. He is also an alumnus of the London and Said Business Schools, having attended various senior executive programs in Management and Strategy, Advanced Corporate Finance and Private Equity amongst others.

Dr. Akindele is passionate about the development and growth of entrepreneurs in Africa. He is a frequent speaker at leading business schools, conferences, and seminars on investing in Africa, private investment in Africa and the role of entrepreneurship in Africa’s evolution. He supports and donates to various institutions that provide grants to entrepreneurs.

Reputed to be big on giving back to his community, the Synergy Capital founder engages in a number of community-led actions in primary, secondary and tertiary schools where he also shares tips on finances and investment with students, catching them from a younger age. Philanthropy comes as a second nature, and he has a burning motivation to intervene and assist where ever necessary in advancing the cause of mankind. His philanthropic endeavor in matters of Great Ife is legendary, and this earned him a Distinguished Alumnus Award by the University during the 60-year Anniversary in 2022.

Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi is a celebrated University Lecturer, an accomplished Journalist, and an astute University Administrator. He is a Member International Institute, Commonwealth Press Union, Association of Nigerian Writers, African Studies Association, Nigerian Newspaper Proprietor's Association which he served as Secretary General for several years since 1987.

Dr. Ogunbiyi holds a Bachelor with honors in English, University Ibadan, 1971, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Dramatic Literature, New York University, 1976. He was a Senior Lecturer Obafemi Awolowo University, Oyo, 1977-1981. Managing director Guardian Books Ltd., Lagos, 1986-1989, Daily Times of Nigeria Ltd., since 1989. Board directors West Africa magazine, Fountain Publications, Daily Times Board, Guardian Newspapers Board, member editorial board, 1983-1989. He later served as the Managing Director of the Daily Times.

Dr. Ogunbiyi was born in Kano to a Yoruba father and an Igbo mother. This cross-cultural marriage and his early life in Kano made him to master of Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages fluently. This polyglot status has transformed him into a detribalized Nigerian who can mix and mingle effortlessly with Nigerians from all corners of the compass. His studies at New York University (NYU) for his masters and doctorate degrees also must have facilitated further his ability to accommodate varying viewpoints because NYU is an urban university that believes in the virtues of diversity.

He is a kind-hearted man. His friends, relations and associates speak warmly of his sense of generosity and his readiness to lend a helping hand when the need arises. This is an indication that he is a people-pleaser, a man who wants other people’s lives to be better than they actually are. This makes him a keen dispenser of happiness, not only in words but also in deeds.

Dr. Ogunbiyi is a consummate drama educator who has written a number of books on African literature and also edited the book, "Drama and Theatre in Nigeria: A Critical Source Book" a comprehensive work on Nigerian drama.

In January 2017 Dr. Ogunbiyi was appointed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, a position he handled meritoriously throughout his term. He was laser-focused on how to get OAU back to becoming a great African University, one that is self-reliant, self-sufficient, and self-sustainable in the face of huge challenges, and without compromising on standards and quality.

Professor Abimbola obtained a history degree from the University of Ibadan in 1963. He furthered his education at the North-Western University Evanston, Illinois, USA, 1965-1966 and University of Lagos, 1967-1970. Ogunwande Abimbola was appointed at Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, as a Junior Research fellow, 1963-1965. In 1966-1972, he was a Senior Research fellow in Yoruba studies at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 1972-1776. Professor Ogunwande Abimbola was a lecturer at the University of Lagos in 1966-1972, An Acting Head, Institute of African Languages and Literature, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 1972-1976.

He was appointed as a Professor of Languages and Linguistics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in 1976. His qualifications and intelligence open more grounds for him to head various department in Universities which includes, Head of Department of Languages and Linguistics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 1976-1977, Dean of Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 1977-1979.

Professor Abimbola was a visiting professor of Comparative Religious Ethics, Amherst College, Massachusetts, USA, 1980-1981. Just a year later he was appointed as a Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1982-1990. During this period, he is known to have invited babalawos on occasions to come say prayers for peace and offer sacrifices to “the gods” in the Ife campus. In subsequent time, he was a Gubernatorial Aspirant, defunct Social Democratic Party. He holds a title known as Awise Agbaye of Yorubaland and has a publication also known as Ijinle Ohun Enu Ifa Apa Kini; Ijinle Ohun Enu Ifa Apa Keji.

Two years after his tenure as Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University Abimbola became Majority Leader of the Nigerian Senate. For two years, he served as Special Adviser on Cultural Affairs and Traditional Matters to President Obasanjo. As one designated by the Ooni of Ife, with recommendation of the committee of West African babalawos, or native diviners, as the global spokesperson for Ifa, Abimbola joined Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders in the inter- faith Prayer for Peace that was held at Assisi, Italy, in 2011. He is author of several books and winner of numerous awards globally.

Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire is the current Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University and an Alumnus of international repute who garnered 3 degrees from the University. He was awarded Bachelor of Agriculture (B. Agric.), M.Phil and PhD degrees from the university. His PhD program attracted sponsorship from the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) in 1997 and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in 1998. His PhD thesis won him the “National Universities Postgraduate Theses Award” in 2001.

Prof. Bamire joined the Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as Assistant Lecturer in 1992 and rose to the post of Professor in 2008. He has taught courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and successfully supervised undergraduate projects and postgraduate theses at the Master and PhD levels within and outside Nigeria. He has also assessed colleagues for promotion to the Professorial cadre and served as an External Examiner at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels within and outside of the country. He has over 100 research-based publications in reputable local and international outlets, comprising contributions to books, scientific journals, refereed conference proceedings, technical reports, monographs, and delivered the University’s 315th Inaugural Lecture.

He was a Visiting Scientist at IITA, Ibadan, in 2004; Vice-Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University (2007-2009); Head, Department of Agricultural Economics (2011-2012) and Dean, Faculty of Agriculture (2013-2015). In his capacity as Dean, he embarked on and completed laudable developmental projects in the faculty through donations from his social capital network, Alumni, and friends of the faculty. By virtue of his position as the Immediate Past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), he was a member of the Governing Council for four years (2017-2021) and served as Chairman of some Committees and Boards in the university.

Professor Bamire has attended different national and international conferences and workshops relating to biodiversity and sustainable agricultural development and has participated in collaborative studies involving researchers from various disciplines on sustainable agricultural production. He has participated in and written different technical reports that relate to practical field experiences in agricultural business and development in Nigeria and other developing nations.

Prof. Bamire is a Fellow of International organizations such as CODESRIA, IITA, Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD), and an Associate Senior Research Fellow of the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED). He has attended many conferences within and outside Nigeria and is a member of various professional associations. He has also received various awards and honors.

Prof. Bamire has proven to be consistently diligent, committed, disciplined, resourceful, reliable, and has a good team spirit. Above all, he is God-fearing. He has good insight and experience of best business practices that could contribute immensely to system development, having served in different committees, and assisted tremendously in promoting academic and research programs in his department, faculty, and the university as a whole.