The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has congratulated Africa’s first professor of geology, Prof. Mosobalaje Olaloye Oyawoye, 91, on the formal launch of his autobiography.
“I am here to celebrate with an icon not just of this country but the continent and probably the world,” the Minister said at the public presentation of the book, ”Path of Destiny”, at Offa, Kwara State, on Saturday.
“It’s a unique event, a 91-year-old man, who has taken 10 years to put together his life history. But this is not just an ordinary 91-year-old man, this is a man who scored first in many fields. The first African Professor of Geologist and a man who has used his
position to benefit society.,” he said
Alhaji Mohammed said he was particularly impressed that Prof. Oyawoye was one of the moving spirits behind the establishment of the University of Jos, which actually started as University College, Jos,” he said.
He said though Prof. Oyawoye left the academia about 30 years ago, he remains active in community service.
The Minister said he was particularly impressed by the premium which the author, in his book, placed on integrity.
“Prof. I think one thing that struck me very much about the book is that you put a lot of value on integrity. I think integrity is that single commodity that is so rare. It’s about the single most important ingredient in the building of a person or a nation,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event include the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mr. Alfa Belgore; former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, and the Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Dr. Wale
Babalakin, who formally presented the book.
Segun Adeyemi
SA To Hon. Minister of Information and Culture
Offa, Kwara State
18 Aug. 2018
