Kunle Adelabu
-l have not stopped learning, says honoree
The oldest doctoral degree older in Nigeria, Col. (Dr.) Pastor Titilola Onafowokan,(rtd.), has been celebrated by his hometown, Imota in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, for the feat of bagging the academic honour at 85 years.
He bagged his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Media Technology with specialization in Artficial Intelligence from the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, recently.
At the public presentation of award and celebration of the feat held at the honoree’s home on Saturday, Col. Onafowokan was presented with the ‘Octogenarian Scholar and Inspiration Award’ by the Ranodu of Imota, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, Olufoworetie, on behalf of the Imota Ayayo Day Planning Committee, the organiser of the event.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Imota branch, also honoured the old scholar with another award for the monumental feat and love for education.
Dr Abiodun Okedeyi, the Chairman of the newly re-inaugurated Imota Ayayo Planning Day Committee, welcoming the honoree, family and guests, said that they decided to celebrate the awardee for his global and inspirational feat.
“The Imota Ayayo Day Planning Committee decided to celebrate our father since the whole world has been celebrating him after his PhD feat.
“They always reference Imota, his home town, wherever he has been celebrated and this is to appreciate and acknowledge his impacts and achievements.
“He is not just starting making giant strides today, even while in the Nigerian Army before his premature retirement, he was the first Nigerian soldier to be honoured by the United Nation and because of his standing within the military, the Protons of the Nigerian Army Signal which has the photograph of the late Gen. Murtala Muhammed, former Head of State, for many decades, has changed it to Col. Onafowokan’s photograph.
“If the whole world is celebrating him, we must also celebrate him as our own, BBC was here about two weeks ago to interview him.
“He deserves all the accolades and good things that we can celebrate him with. Today is just the little that we can do for now but more is still coming”, Dr. Okedeyi.
Oba Ajibade Agoro, while stating that education has helped him greatly, charged the young ones on the need to emulate the celebrant .
“The person that we are gathered here today for is an educationist per excellence and I am part of his celebration because of him.
“Those that are being celebrated today in Imota and are involved actively in community development are the educated ones. I was taking aback when I saw the news that this old man has bagged PhD., and I called him to congratulate him.
“I want you, the young ones, to emulate him, and as I always say, there is no other secret that has been working for me other than my education. I am a proud chartered accountant.
“Whatever pathway that you have chosen to toe, you must create legacy for others.
“Look at this old man at 85, and still craving for knowledge. You must emulate and follow his footsteps.
“Without being immodest, I have established myself in my professional calling to the extent that we have been given a provisional approval by the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), for the establishment of the ICAN Society in Imota.
“Today, I am the oldest chartered accountant in Nigeria from Imota and I have struggled with the founder of CALEB University (Dr. Adebogun). We grew up together and work on farms, but today, he is rich and influential and he has done a lot for Imota”, Oba Ranodu said.
Ranodu of Imota described himself as the proudest monarch in the world for the educational feat that his kingdom has achieved through the attainment of PhD by Col. Onafowokan and the presence of CALEB University.
He stated that he is part of the celebration of the Octogenarian because he has further placed Imota on the global education map.
“Today, I am the proudest Oba in Lagos State, because of CALEB University, aside the one by the government. This is a private university by an indigene of Imota and I always boast of it.
“Today, I am also here because I have the oldest PhD holder in Nigeria, the third in West Africa and the fourth in the world. He is also from Imota. I am a proud king because I receive all the glory and accolades.
“This feat has further placed Imota on the global map and I am going to propagate this when I get to The Council of Obas for other traditional rulers to know that Imota is a great town with great people.
“So, I am here today to appreciate and join you in celebrating this our man and for you, the young ones, to know that you cannot replace education with any other thing. After book is book and the after it is also book. Education is knowledge and knowledge is power forever”, the revered monarch added.
The newest Phd holder, Dr. Titilola Onafowokan, speaking, recalled the challenges that he faced while growing up.
“In those days, we had problem going to school in Imota, because there was none and those of us that wanted to go were discouraged by parents and the community that insisted that we rather go into farming.
“I was a tailor, and I know that this will be strange to many of you to hear….. That was the profession that I learnt after my Standard Six when my father told me that I cannot furthermore. This was after he was told that I should start learning farming.
“I always cried throughout my tailoring apprenticeship, because I wanted to further my education. After a while, I was taken to Lagos, thinking that I was going to the Methodist Boys High School, because I was very brilliant.
“Throughout my Standard two to six, I was always in the first or second position, and the rivalry was between me and our then head teacher’s son, Raheem, yet they still wanted me to be a farmer”, Col. Onafowokan recalled.
He added that: “While I was young, I was crippled for five years because of family problems and I was not allowed to go out because of shame, but I knew that I was not a cripple”.
He also narrated how he became a teacher at CMS without salary and later at UNA School, Orile, where he also worked for a long time but there was no confirmation from the headquarters.
The oldest PhD holder in Nigeria, also stated how he dreamt of becoming an Engineer and the challenges that he faced.
He emphasized the importance of learning and knowledge, and charged the youths on the need to embark on life – long learning.
He also enjoined them to have knowledge of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) which is now acceptable in the world.
He narrated how people thought he was going to die and his admission into the hospital, and other health challenges that he never allowed to deter him.
The retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army who is not tired, also announced to the royal father and the audience that he plans to go further in his educational pursuit.
“Let me tell you, I am still studying and I have been encouraged to do my post – doctoral study, so as to be first again to do that and that is what I am thinking about and it is possible that they have secured a university for me to do that.
“My children, my sisters and brothers, embrace long – life learning and don’t stop for an inch. Education will help you”, Dr Onafowokan said.
Comrade Ogunbowale Bodunrin, President, National Association of Ikorodu Division Students (NAIDS), also speaking on behalf of youths in Ikorodu Division, described Col. Onafowokan’s feat as inspirational for the youths.
“This is an inspirational achievement and I must say this has challenged everyone, both old and young, and we really appreciate you for attaining this feat and bringing the accolades to Imota.
“On behalf of the youths, l pledged that they would continue to strive to also attain greater heights”, he said.
Prof. Adewale Sanni, Deputy VC, CALEB University, also speaking, also charged the youths to be challenged by the oldest PhD holder. He described PhD as patience, humanity and dedication, while advising them to always be patient in whatever that they do and have humility to go far, as well as give their dedication and commitment to whatever that they are involved in.
Also at the ceremony were Mrs Onafowokan, wife of the honoree, Dr Olumide Metilelu, Treasurer, Imota Ayayo Day Planning Committee and Princess Abisoye Jimoh, Financial Secretary of the committee among others.
