These, no doubt, are seasons of painful farewells and sudden departures. The news of Professor Tunde Oduleye's passing reached me this morning and threw me into a welter of memories and reminiscences. Calling that news shocking would be a gross understatement.
Tunde was bright and bold, firm and fair, resilient and dependable in a country and in an era in which these virtues count for little..
Their crime? Fighting for a university system that is wholesome, meaningful, purposeful, and functional; a system that understands the real meaning and importance of EDUCATION and the globally acceptable ways of disseminating it. It took many years of joblessness, hunger, demonization, and other afflictions before legal justice came, at last.
Throughout those nearly 10 years in the wilderness, Ilorin 49 stood firm, the present within their grasp, the future before their gaze. Today, they have become the symbol of steadfast courage and beacon of hope in a country where rank opportunism trumps principled resistance, and genuine fighters for the public good are roundly mischaracterized as trouble- makers and “undue radicals”. Today, the Ilorin 49 stalwarts wear the laurels as our long-distance runners.
Sleep well, then, worthy Comrade. Sleep well. Tell Gentleman Adegbija the struggle is anything but over. Let Festus Iyayi know Nigeria’s criminals are still there, Awaiting Court Martial. Let your spirit be our shield as we strive to bring the universe back to Nigeria’s eviscerated university system.