Members of staff of the School of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA on Thursday February 15, 2024 held a special Board of Studies in honor of Professor Julius Olujimi who bowed out of services of the University at the statutory age of 70.
The erudite don served as a two-time Dean of the school and was a former member of the Governing Council of the university. While delivering a valedictory oration, the Dean of the School, Professor Isaac Aje described Professor Olujimi as a talented selfless personality, highly productive, a mentor, competent professional, reputable teacher researcher, and a source of inspiration to colleagues and students alike.
The Dean said, "Professor Olujimi has served the university meritoriously in different capacities. He has contributed immensely to the development of SET and the university at large. As one of the big pillars of the school, his brilliance, administrative acumen, his constant encouragement and motivation are responsible for the achievements in the Department of Urban and Regional planning and the school at large has inspired us to do better " He said he has mentored many sets in the Department of Urban and Regional planning both at undergraduate and Postgraduate levels many of whom are now Captains of Industries, Academics and successful practitioners.”
Professor Aje added that “Professor Olujimi has invested a lot in the university. He brought innovations into the administration of the school while all Departments and programmes in the school were fully accredited by the NUC and the various professional bodies while he was Dean of the school from 2013-2017". The Dean acknowledged his fatherly disposition to all and disclosed that Olujimi was a philanthropist having recently donated a Motorcycle valued at N1.2 million naira to the school to ease the dispatch of mails from the Dean's office across the university.
He said he has set a benchmark of excellence for staff and students of the school and wished him a happy retirement.
In his remarks the Head of Urban and Regional Planning, Professor Joseph Basorun commended Professor Olujimi for reproducing himself in his mentees who according to him are a testament to his accomplishments.
He described him as an eminent personality and a dependable elder whose outstanding achievements are worthy of celebration. The HOD said he has demonstrated a wealth of wisdom and character will remain indelible in the lives of all of those he has touched. Colleagues and family members took turns to pay glowing tributes most of whom attested to his attributes of integrity, straightforwardness and stand for justice and truth.
While giving his valedictory address, Professor Olujimi attributed his success to God's grace upon his life. He appreciated his predecessors in office for laying a solid foundation that the school is building upon. He said under his watch during his tenure as Head of Department, the Department secured a 5-year TOPREC professional Accreditation status for all its 3: professional programmes: an exercise that led to ranking of the Department as the best department of Urban and Regional planning in Nigeria in 2013.
He appreciated all academic and non-academic staff who worked with him during his tenure as Head of Department and subsequently as Dean. The Don urged all present to imbibe the tenets of accountability and resilience and commit themselves to any task assigned to them while impacting lives around them.
Those who attended the Special BOS included former deputy vice chancellors Professor Tunde Arayela, Professor Tolu Akinbogun, and
Professor Rufus Ogun semi, Former Deans, Heads of Departments, staff and family members of the celebrant.
