•Gists From The Class Birthday Service/Party
On
Saturday, 30th July 2022, members of the Ogunye family celebrated Chief
(Prof.) Ayodele Francis Ogunye. The Baba Ijo of St. Luke’s Anglican Church,
Japara celebrated his 80th birthday in Ijebu-Igbo. A graduate of Imperial
College, London, Prof. Ogunye became the first Professor of Chemical
Engineering, at the University of Lagos, at the age of 36. The celebration of Prof.
Ogunye at 80 was electrifying, to say the least. It proves the saying that big occasions
are meant for big people. It was really a talk-of-the-town celebration.
Reporter, TITILOPE OSHUNLALU and Photo Journalist, FEMI ADELEKE
attended the birthday service and the reception party.
Below
is a blow-by-blow account of the celebration!
PROF.
AYODELE FRANCIS OGUNYE UNVEILED!
Prof.
Ogunye was born to Mr Rowaiye Ogunye and Mrs Janet Adebowale Ogunye (daughter
of Papa Gabriel Ogunade, one of the first 16 Christian converts in Japara in
1906). He was born on the 31st July 1942 in Ijebu-Igbo. He attended St. Luke’s
Anglican Primary School, Japara, Ijebu-Igbo from 1947 and completed his senior
primary school at St. Matthew’s Primary School, Ojowo, Ijebu-Igbo in 1955 after
which he was admitted into the Molusi College, Ijebu-Igbo in 1956. He then
proceeded to the Government College, Ibadan for his Higher School Certificate
in 1961 on Ijebu-Igbo Local Government Scholarship.
Prof.
Ogunye later graduated from the Imperial College, London.
He
did his post-graduate studies up to PhD at the University of Waterloo,
Ontario, Canada. He became the first Professor of Chemical Engineering at the
University of Lagos at the age of 36.
He
retired after 17 years as a Professor in September 1995. On his retirement, he
endowed the department, which he started in 1973 with a Chair of Chemical
Engineering, Professor Ayo Ogunye Trust Fund University of Lagos (PAFOTFUL).
The endowment has awarded 68 scholarships and prizes in Chemical Engineering
and Dentistry since the BOT was inaugurated in 2008. For the first time in
2015, the endowment awarded an N1,000,000.00 research grant to a young
researcher in Chemical Engineering.
The
research grant is currently N1,500,000.00. He also founded the Ojule
Educational Foundation in honour of his grandfather in Ijebu-Igbo. The
foundation gives out University and Secondary School Fellowships every year.
Before
the death of the Secretary, 10 tertiary and 15 Secondary School Scholarships
were awarded.
After
his death, the scholarship scheme became Adhoc and restricted to only Ojule
descendants who gain admission into Universities/Polytechnics/Colleges of
Education. Prof. Ogunye is a Chartered Engineer of the United Kingdom and COREN
Registered Engineer in Nigeria. He was elected fellow of the British
Institution of Chemical Engineers in 1978 as the second Nigerian to be so
elected to that professional membership grade. Prof. Ogunye has been honoured
severally by his Almaters and Ogun and the Ondo States.
On
two occasions, the Ogun State Government appointed him the Chairman of the
Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo and Inaugural Council Member of MAPOLY. During these
appointments, he never drew a kobo as allowance. As a non-indigene of Ondo
State, he was appointed to The Council of Adekunle Ajasin University,
Akungba, Ondo State between 1999 and 2003. A Christian and member of the
Anglican Communion, Prof. Ogunye is the present Baba Ijo of St. Luke’s Anglican
Church, Japara, Ijebu-Igbo. It is also on record that he donated his gratuity
and pension entitlement earned since 1995 till date and it is being managed
through the Pro. Ayo Francis Ogunye Trust Fund University of Lagos (PAFOTFUL)
for the advancement of Chemical Engineering research in Nigeria. Prof. Ogunye
is happily married and the marriage is blessed with very resourceful sons, daughters,
and grandchildren.
AT
THE BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING
The
birthday service in honour of Prof. Ogunye was held at the auditorium of St.
Luke’s Anglican Church, Japara, Ijebu-Igbo. The service ran for 2 hours and the
auditorium was filled with family members, associates, members of the church,
politicians, and dignitaries. The service was conducted by Rt. Rev. (Dr.)
Solomon Gbetogo Kuponu, the Bishop of Ijebu-North Anglican Diocese while other
reputable St. Luke’s Anglican Church clerics took charge of different segments
of the service.
During
the service, the congregation was informed about the establishment of a new
foundation in honour of the celebrant.
It
is a foundation set up to help the less privileged and the needy.
Speaking
at the church service, Rev. Solomon Gbetogo titled his sermon Growing Old.
He took his text from Psalms 71 verses 6-7 (the Psalms of an old man). He
mentioned the love the celebrant has for
God and his people. And that he was proud of him for bringing people to
celebrate with him in his Ijebu-Igbo home town. He implored everyone present to
trust God and concentrate on getting to know God. He said we should exhibit the
attitude of praise even when it is not convenient. He also noted that the
celebrant has really shown love to God and the church as his retirement money
is being given to the church and he has never stopped giving. He then prayed
for the celebrant and wished him long life on earth.
OGD’S
REMARK AS A FORMER STUDENT OF PROF. OGUNYE
Former
Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) was at the birthday
celebration. When he took the floor to speak, he commended the celebrant and
said without him, some of them would not be where they are today. He was one of
Prof. Ogunye’s students in UNILAG. He said he could never forget when the Prof.
came to the faculty and established the Department of Chemical Engineering in
1973.
And
that some of them who were young then were making jest and asked what Chemical
Engineering is when they were talking of Mechanical and Civil Engineering. Due
to the hardwork of the celebrant, he said the Chemical Engineering Department
became one of the very best in the university.
And
that he is happy with the type of man the celebrant is. He wished him more
years on earth.
AT
THE RECEPTION PARTY
The
Omo-Ilu Foundation Complex, Odorasanyin, Ijebu-Igbo was the venue of the
reception party. The event centre is very popular in Ijebu-Igbo. It is located
along the popular road of Odorasanyin.
The
party had DG Music Band on stage. The music band welcomed guests with tunes
from their saxophonist right from the entrance of the hall. The hall was filled
to capacity as dignitaries and guests of the celebrant and his children, many
of whom came from far places to be part of the epoch-making ceremony. They were
thrilled by the classy reception they got. Prof. Ogunye is a man of all people.
The reception party started around 2:15pm with an opening prayer by Pastor Dotun
Ojelabi.
The
celebrant was later ushered into the hall. He was accompanied by his wife and
children to the high table. The hall was decorated in white and green colours
and balloons.
GIFTS
GALORE FOR THE CELEBRANT
The
Molusi College Old Students Association (MOCOSA) presented the celebrant with a book
of tributes, songs, anthems, and gifts. His students in UNILAG and other
institutions also presented him with gifts. Moments later, the birthday cake was
cut, after which a photo session was held. The celebrant took photographs with
his wife, children, grandchildren, family members, church members, etc.
ROLL
CALL OF GUESTS
Former
Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Representative of Ogun State
Governor, Dapo Abiodun (in the person of Mr Tokunbo Talabi), Oba Adekoya, Oba
Adesesan Oguntayo of Ijebu-Ife, Oba Quadri, Oba Lawrence, Oba (Dr.) Adeboye
Alatise-Ososa, Dr Muftau Adesanya Yusuf, Abayomi Banjo, Amos Awobayo, Ibitoye,
Archbishop from Lagos, Bayou from UNILORIN, Rev. (Dr.) Oludipe, Bishop of
Ijebu, Rev. Dr. Adetubo.
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