I write on an accomplished administrator, epitome of humility, strategic mediator, innovative solution provider and a philantrophist.
Where is the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss?
‘Vini vindi vinci’ were the three immemorial words the great Caesar sent home from warfront to the Senators. Till date those words symbolize victory. We but wonder if same could have been written by Ọmọ Ọlátinwọ.
Like Caesar, he was believed be cut off at his prime.
Dr. Mufutau Ọlátunde Ọlátinwọ was a philantrophist like no other. He was a man whose ‘gate of generousness’ never get closed on no one. All those who cried to his place (in seeking for help) smiled on their return.
To begin with, Ọlátinwọ is one of few names that command respects, makes impacts, spells prestige and opulence. From Group Captain Adebọla Ọlátinwọ (one time military governor of Kwara State; January 1984 – August 25th, 1985) to his father, Alhaji Tiamiyu Ọlátinwọ (who pioneered establishment of Summit University, Ọffà). The former was an achiever in the military, the latter had his business chain (started with Cement). The Ọlátinwọs are found in different fields of human endeavours. They are always in the fore. ‘Archiving’ their steps in the eternal Sands of Time.
The Ọlátinwọ under the searchlight here was a academian. And like any other Ọlátinwọs, if he were alive; he could be looking back now at his chains of achievements in academics and say “vini vindi vinci”.
Dr. Ọlátinwọ’s earthly journey which came to end in the early hours of Saturday, July 27 2019 after a brief illness started 65 years ago in his hometown, Ọffà. September 16, 1954 to be precise.
He got both elementary and secondary school education in the same place.
He proceeded to University of Ìbàdàn in 1974 where he bagged Bachelor of Science in Physics, having attended the famous Ọffà Grammar School (OGS) for his Higher School Certificate (HSC ‘A’ level) between 1973-174.
He got Masters Degree in Applied Geophysics from Ahmadu Bello University (1978-1981), before he went to Uppsala University, Institute of Geophysics in Sweden. He obtained a diploma in Analytic Signal and Graphic Interpretation of Aeromagnetic Data, Certificate of Knowledge and Experience in Analog Electronics, Digital Electronics and Computer Environment in Research and Education.
Dr. Ọlátinwọ was in Scotland in 1988-1989 in Geophysics section of University of Glasword as a participatant in Research on Seafloor Spreading Anomalies.
At age 36 (1990) he returned to Nigeria for his PhD (Doctorate Degree) in Applied Geophysics at his alma mater, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Earlier, in 1977, he had started his working career as a teacher, though a Corps member at Gumel Advanced College.
He afterwards become a Part Time/Laboratory Demonstrator between 1978-1979, a Graduate Assistant in Department of Physics in ABU (1979), Assistant Lecturer (1980), Lecturer II (1983) and Lecturer I (1991).
Apart from teaching and research assignments, in Physics Department, he was Internal Moderator for MSc Applied Geophysics Examination (1986-1991), Supervisor of Geophysics Laboratories (1984-1988), Supervisor of Supplementary Physics Laboratory (1970-1984), MSc Surveying Geophysics for Surveyors (1983-1988), Visitors’ Officer (1979-1984) and one-time Admission Officer (of the same Department).
In July 1994, he come over to the Federal Polytechnic, Ọffà (FEDPOFFA) as a Principal Lecturer. He was appointed as Pre-ND Science Coordinator.
1997 was a year of double blessings, for he first promoted as a Chief Lecturer and later become Head of Department, Science Laboratory Technology (SLT).
In 1998, he was the Director Centre for Continuing Education. His landmark was rejuvenation and computerization of the Centre.
He stepped down from the directorial post in June, 2000.
He was an active member of various professional and non-professional bodies: Nigerian Association of Hydro-Geololgists, Nigerian Institute of Physics, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, Nigerian Institute of Management, Fellow; Chemical Society of Nigeria, Member; Ọffà Central Mosque Management Committee (between 1995-2002), Member; Board of Governor of Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Ọffà (since 1997), Member; Ọffà Descendants’ Union Special School Committee.
Furthermore, he was External Examiner, Applied Geophysics, Federal University of Technology, Àkúrẹ. He held same position at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilọrin.
He had to his credits numberous publications; theses and books, seminars, papers and journal articles.
It’s thus unsurprisable that he had won many notable awards, few amongst them: Kwame Nkrumah Award for exemplary leadership by African Students, The Best Performing Rector by the National Association of Nigerian Female Students (NANFS), Rector of The Year award by the National Association of Nigerian Students (2012), etc.
Under his multitude of appointments and tasks that always came with them, he made substantial, immemorial impacts on people’s lives.
For instance, it’s said that while he was Acting Rector, there were mass employments of people (Ọffà and environs Indigenes, especially) to the Fedpoffa.
And as a philantrophist he was, he did made contributions in deeds and kinds wherenever he got called upon.
A bit closer: Dr. M.O was a man who was interested in knowing details. This, we believe must either be inherent or acquired (through experience) in civil services. You can’t just go give him a exorbitant phenomenon arranged higgledy-piggledly and expect he would just append his signature to it. He must have realized how twi-faced people could be, when figures are concerned. He was very good in getting nitty-gritty of things.
Also, he was religious conscious and unbiased. He used to extend financial helps to both Muslims and Christians alike.
Chief Imam of FEDPOFFA, Al-Imam Abdulwaheed A. Alata confirmed that apart from being a sponsor of different Muslim programmes, Dr. Ọlátinwọ used to host the Polytechnic Muslims Community for Iftar during Ramadan for over a decade!
He was a caring, passionate father and family man. Having known the responsibilities that come with large families, he always made extra efforts to be in touch with his own people. He was a ‘team player’ in holding family unity. Thus, he knew almost every member in and out.
His brother, Chief Tajudeen Ọlátinwọ (a.k.a OSPAR) said he saved his number with “Daddy Wa” (Our Daddy).
He loved it when people have jobs, required training and work for their labour.
A man of calmliness, tranquility, transparency and accountability.
His exit has created an inaspettato vacuum. He would be greatly missed.
(c) Jimoh Taofik Adekunle is an HND II Prints Option Student of Mass Communication Department, The Federal Polytechnic, Offa
October 20, 2020
Facebook: Jimoh Taofik Adekunle
Phone: 08144510532 (Call/WhatsApp)
