TRIBUTE: The Good Man I Almost met.

I saw you.

But, I didn't know who particularly you probably were. Everyone gazed and whispered. Some Secluded by walls; others nested under the trees, in their eyes; and by their expression and gesticulation I perceived a high gleam of admiration and veneration for you as you walked by Aluta Base, in company of the two other seemingly stranger men. [I got to know much later that they were Pastor Abolaji the polytechnic mouthpiece and Mr Bankole your PA]

I was still entangled in my obvious perplexity trying frutaly to pin-point your identity -- a seemingly influential, respectable personality walking with much humility and meekness. I was still lingering on it: Who could he be. . . when Hon Olabunock, HNDII Food Tech, the SRC CLERK 2008/2009; [Beside the late Osho Rukayat, Olabunock remains the ONLY vivacious female activist I have ever met in FPI] bailed me out.

"Val, Do you know who that is. . . .the one in the middle?" she asked evenly.

"NO! Who is he?"

"That's OUR Rector. . . .he's a nice man and students likes him" she added with a glint of triumph.

That was 5 years ago. In the wake of December 2009 when I was still a sprouting seedling on campus. Now I have matured into the system and I have come to terms with the realities and actualities. I have spent four year in and out of this institution and I have come to reckon with those words that you are indeed more than just a nice man, but a greatly kind one too.

Your Work Spoke For Itself

How you managed to transform this crude and dusty campus to an enviable potential mini-city in a handful of years is highly commendable. In 2009 Barr Olasupo Ojo then National Chairman of CDHR who came around for the CDHR annual symposium after taken a drive around the campus, have this to say "I have being to several polytechnic campuses but I must confess I love the landscape of FPI."

A Kind Man I never met

By recent event in students' related contentions, I have come to the knowledge of your profound goodwill to no fault. Even when you requested to see me personally, protocol and schedules have shielded you away. When I got your reply on my facebook inbox, I was gleeful but obvious circumstance kept me away from school. I couldn't come over!

Your love and matchless understanding over issues overwhelms all probable sentiments. I recalled Daddy Arch Aluko confirming those thoughts when he told me "If not that the Rector is a kind man. . . . ." what else is required of a leader and teacher.

I had quite a huge plan for your valedictory service. My friend Arowolo Paul and I had wanted to present a 500 man guard of honour in you respect, but the prevailing ASUP strike kept our potential volunteers miles away.

Nevertheless we would always reverence you stride and utilise all avaliable pedestal to honour and reward you antecedence.

As always my heart is set at meeting you in camera --just as I have always wanted