1 | P a g e UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, AKOKA TRIBUTE IN HONOUR OF LATE EMERITUS PROFESSOR C.O. TAIWO, PIONEER PROVOST, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS BY THE VICE- CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, PROFESSOR RAHAMON. A. BELLO, FAEng, AT THE LYING-IN-STATE HELD AT THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION AUDITORIUM, ON THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Academic & Research), Professor Babajide Alo, FAS; The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Duro Oni; Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.), Taiwo. F. Ipaye, MNIM; Bursar, Mr. Lateef Odekunle University Librarian, Dr (Mrs.) Olukemi Fadehan, CLN; Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Professor Folashade Ogunshola; Dean, Faculty of Education; Other Deans here present; 2 | P a g e Families of our dear late Emeritus Professor, C.O. Taiwo; Distinguished Guests; Gentlemen of the Press Ladies and Gentlemen We are all gathered here today to celebrate the transition into eternal glory of our dear father, grand- father, great-grandfather, academic giant, mentor, administrator, foremost educationist, teacher of teachers and Professor of Professors, Emeritus Professor, Cornelius Olaleye Taiwo, OBE; OON; M.A; M.Sc; Ph.D; D.Litt (London), the Baba Ijo of Oru Ijebu and the Olotu Aaye of Ijebuland, who died on April 8, 2014 at the ripe age of 103. Though the demise of Baba is painful to us, but we have cause to celebrate his glorious exit. Late Emeritus Professor Taiwo was many things to many people in diverse ways and from which ever angle it is viewed, the sweet reminiscences and indelible footprints he left on the sands of time shall forever be remembered with fond memories that continue to linger. We are thus gathered in this auditorium today to celebrate his life and cherish our memory of him as a true, kindhearted, loving elder statesman and an academic of distinction. He shared a renewed interest in the University of Lagos especially the Faculty of Education. This great scholar showed interest in re-invigoration of the College of 3 | P a g e Education that assumed training and development responsibilities in the University as envisaged in the University of Lagos Act 1967. Born on October 27, 1910, at Oru-Ijebu in Ogun State, Nigeria, to Isaac and Lydia Taiwo, he attended St Andrews College, Oyo, and later Yaba Higher College, Lagos. He was at the University of London where bagged a D. Litt Degree in 1982. He also earned an M.A Degree in Mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge, a Barrister-at-Law degree of the Middle Temple Inn's Court and Hon. LL.D. (Cape Coast). Emeritus Professor Cornelius Taiwo was the first African Principal of Edo College, Benin City. He worked with the Western Nigerian Government between 1960 and 1966 when he served variously as Administrative Officer, Inspector of Education and ultimately as Permanent Secretary before he transferred his services to the University of Lagos where he spent 11 years and became the first Provost of College of Education, University of Lagos and Emeritus Professor of Education. Emeritus Professor Taiwo was also appointed Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ilorin on September 1, 1990. He later became a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. It is indeed a great honour and privilege to reflect on the contributions of late Professor Taiwo to the University of Lagos which were legendary. Apart from being the first Provost of our then College of Education, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogun_State http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaba_College http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaba_College http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_London http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Letters http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Cambridge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Lagos http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Lagos http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Ilorin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_Nigeria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_Nigeria 4 | P a g e Professor Taiwo contributed tremendously in educational research and academic publishing. He served in important committees in the university. These include the University Senate, Appointments and Promotions Board and Academic Planning Committee. His books have become reference points to scores of present researchers in the field of education. The University of Lagos honoured him most deservedly with a Gold Medal in 1987; an Emeritus Professorship in 1996 and a D.Litt in 2009. As for the families that Baba left behind, on behalf of the University of Lagos community, I commiserate with you all. As you took good care of Baba till his death, I pray that your own children too will take good care of you. I also pray to God to give you the fortitude to bear the loss. ‘Omo rere ni yio gbehin gbogbo wa o. Amin’ May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen Professor Rahamon. A. Bello, FAEng; Vice-Chancellor University of Lagos, Akoka THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014