A Funeral Oration for Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo By the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan Prof. Kayode O. Adebowale, mni,FAS, fspsp
A Funeral Oration for Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo By the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan Prof. Kayode O. Adebowale, mni,FAS, fspsp
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships)
Registrar
University Librarian
Provosts of the College of Medicine and of Postgraduate College
Deans of Other Faculties and of Students
Directors of Institutes and Centres
Heads of Departments
Vice-Chancellors of other Universities
Families and children of late Prof. Ayo Banjo Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Today, we gather to pay our final respects to a remarkable scholar, educator, and visionary—Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo. As the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, a mantle Professor Banjo himself once wore with such distinction, it is my solemn duty to honor his memory and his immense contributions.
The late Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo was born on 02 May, 1934 in Oyo town, Oyo State into the family of the late Pa. Reverend Samuel Ayodele Banjo, who was a graduate, educationist and teacher at St. Andrew Primary School, Oyo.
Professor Ayodeji Banjo commenced his education at St. Andrew Anglican Primary School. Consequent upon the transfer of his father to Christ Cathedral Primary School in Lagos, the young Ladipo Ayodeji had to also relocate to Lagos where he completed his Standard Four (4) and Five (5) at Aroloya Christ Cathedral Primary Schools.
He attended Igbobi College, Lagos between 1947 and 1952.
Upon nomination that was informed by his enviable academic background and excellent performance at ‘A’ Level Class at the Nigeria College of Arts, Science and Technology, Ibadan, Professor Ayodeji Banjo won the British Council Scholarship in 1959 to study Master of Arts (MA) in English Language at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Thereafter, he did Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Postgraduate Diploma in English Studies at University of Leeds in England and came out with flying colours.
In 1966, the American State Department offered him scholarship to study for a Master of Arts degree (MA) in Linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles, United States of America. In 1969, Emeritus Professor Ayodeji Banjo bagged a PhD in English Language at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo served as: Education Officer and was promoted to the post of Senior Education Officer, Western Nigeria from 1960 – 1966.
He joined the services of the University of Ibadan as a Lecturer grade II in 1966 and rose through the ranks to the post of Professor of English Language in 1975.
It is often said, in paraphrase of the Holy Book, the Bible, that there is a time to be born and a time to die. In between the two is a chance to live. That chance to live is what we gather here to celebrate today. Prof Ayo Banjo spotted that chance to live and seized it, and maximized it to the benefit of the people, the system, and the nation.
In the recent speech I gave at the 90th anniversary of his birth, I pointed out that rather than give a citation, I would give thanks for the man who chose the University of Ibadan, led the University of Ibadan, and promoted the brand called University of Ibadan. Today, I invite us to celebrate. Rather than sing a dirge or chant an elegy, I would rather raise my heart in praise, and in salute to scholarly excellence, leadership excellence, and excellence in personal conduct.
A man of scholarly excellence, Professor Banjo lived a tapestry woven with threads of exceptional intellect, unwavering dedication, and a deep commitment to the advancement of knowledge. His scholarly pursuits left indelible footprints, from the intricacies of English language to the very soul of Nigerian literature. His seminal works not only illuminated the language studies landscape but also served as a powerful voice for cultural identity. In the end, Professor Ayo Banjo’s name became a household name in Africa and beyond – the Oxford English textbook series starting from the 1960s set the pace in decolonizing English language instruction in not just Nigeria but all over, the West African sub-region.
Beyond this, his pioneering scholarship in contrastive linguistics, language policy, and stylistics in the Nigerian context, as well as his towering influence on teaching English as a second language in West Africa set the course that continues to be followed to this day. Besides this, his stints as visiting professor in many first-rate universities across the world rubbed off strongly and positively on the image of our university.
In 1981, Emeritus Professor Ayodeji Banjo delivered his inaugural lecture titled “The Grammar and the Grammarian”. Professor Ayodeji Banjo, through diligence and complete dedication to his “call” as an academic, produced many PhD holders and professors in Nigeria and beyond. He was a pacesetter, a prescient scholar and administrator.
From the West Indies in 1980, to Cambridge England in 1993, Norway in 1994, Botswana, Swaziland, Sierra Leone, among others, he carried with him the spirit and letter of excellence. His leadership at the Nigeria Academy of Letters where he was President and Fellow, and his service at other national and international forums continued to bring honour to the University of Ibadan.
A model of excellence in leadership, Professor Banjo gave his all to leading and nurturing the University of Ibadan, as Acting Head of Department of English (1971-1973); Dean, Faculty of Arts (1977-1979); Head, Department of English (1980-1981); Deputy Vice-Chancellor (1981-1983); Acting Vice-Chancellor (1983-1984), and Vice-Chancellor for 7 years (1984 -1991).
Professor Banjo’s leadership at the University of Ibadan was nothing short of transformative. His longest-serving tenure as Vice-Chancellor stands as a testament to the impact he made. He championed initiatives that strengthened academic programmes spearheading the creation of new departments and ensuring the university curriculum remained relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of Nigeria. He defended the autonomy of the university when it came under intense external threat, and championed initiatives that improved students’ welfare and wellbeing.
In personal conduct, he also modelled excellence. Very often, when erudition and other forms of stardom, rise, humility and self-awareness seem to fall. In Professor Banjo’s case, this was not true. His towering fame, achievement, and success as well as the national and international honours and recognition that came with these did nothing to diminish his humility, accessibility to younger colleagues and service to the Almighty in his strong Christian faith. An interesting example I once shared comes readily to mind here.
The day Prof Banjo completed his term as Vice Chancellor of the University, that same day he reported to his department for duty. The Head of Department, world-renowned poet, Prof Niyi Osundare, was caught unawares. Here was his former teacher who, up until a few minutes before then was also his Vice Chancellor, right at the door reporting to him for duty. For a short spell, the famous poet and wordsmith could not find his words. Baba Banjo was quoted as saying: “Niyi, you are now my boss; I take orders from you”. Prof Osundare had to muster his poetic and persuasive arsenals to get Baba Banjo to, at least, take the day off to rest.
Perhaps I should be quick to also add that Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo attended all UI Convocations and Foundation days since he left office except the last two due to his frail health.
Such are eloquent testimonies of Prof Banjo’s humility, love for the classroom, thirst for knowledge and love for the University culture and traditions
Prof. Ayo Banjo was made Emeritus Professor in 1994, which is the highest title in the academics. Thus, until his death on May 24, 2024, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo occupied his office, Room 67 in the Department of English, University of Ibadan, playing fatherly, hortatory roles to the Department, higher institutions of learning and humanity.
Prof. Ayo Banjo, you have served as a living repository of cultural memories; You have passed down traditions, you have passed down values, and events that shape collective identities. You have witnessed the ebb and flow of history; You have navigated personal challenges, and emerged as beacons of knowledge and resilience, enriching the tapestry of human society. You are a gift to humanity and more importantly to your immediate contact – The University of Ibadan
In 2019, the University of Ibadan was highly privileged to honour him by naming the Vice Chancellor’s Lodge after him. We are grateful that he lived to witness that befitting honour, and that he lived many more years after that. As we bid him farewell, the best we can do is to remember that we are right between that time to be born and the time to die, right in the chance to live.
We would do better to seize and spend that chance to emulate Prof Banjo in our conduct and choices, in our relationship with all others, in our attitude to work and in our devotion to our university and our nation. It is a chance to live, and to live is a chance.
Adieu an academic colossus, world renowned English language consultant, international university teacher, an innovator, fore-sighted and thoroughbred manager of men and resources, a Professor of Professors, a distinguished and successful former Vice-Chancellor and a lover of his people, highly cerebral, likeable, humble, friendly, unassuming, and compassionate gentleman.
May the soul of Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo continue to rest in perfect peace.
Sleep on…
Prof. K. O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp
Vice Chancellor
University of Ibadan
