The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, has joined the rest of the nation in mourning the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.
Former President Buhari, who led the country twice from December 31, 1983, to August 27, 1985, and between May 29, 2019, and May 29, 2023, as a military Head of State and civilian President, respectively, died on Sunday (July 13, 2025) in a London Hospital. He was 82.
In a statement issued by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, Prof. Egbewole described the former President’s death as the end of a remarkable era. As a one-time Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, in an interview with UNILORIN Bulletin, recalled the late President’s magnanimity towards the University.
Describing the late former President as a tireless patriot and an uncommon political figure who stood for the unity and progress of Nigeria throughout his adult life, Prof. Egbewole recalled the several roles played by the ex-President in national development, particularly as a soldier, administrator, politician and statesman.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the former President believed in Nigeria’s greatness, as exemplified by his consistently offering himself for service. He explained that his decision to contest for the highest office in the land four consecutive times before eventually succeeding in 2019 demonstrated his unbending doggedness, firm resilience, and great faith.
Prof. Egbewole remarked that the tenures of ex-President Buhari, as a military Governor of the defunct North-Eastern State, Minister of Petroleum Resources, military Head of State, Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Special Trust Fund, and finally as a democratically elected President, were marked by unique dispositions to leadership and an incredible positive impact.
The Vice Chancellor stated that the late statesman, remembered for his disciplinary dispositions, uncommon integrity, and anti-corruption stance, was a very good friend of the University, as he had received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ilorin over 25 years ago.
He also said that the management, staff, and students would continue to celebrate him, as his name would be etched into the landscape through several landmark projects undertaken by the Federal Government under his leadership or projects commissioned by him. Prof. Egbewole added that the deceased was one of the most distinguished Nigerians of all time, not just because of the positions of authority he held, but also due to the exceptionally upright manner in which he held them.
Leave feedback about this