UI Central Admin building named after late Prof. Tamuno

Saturday, November 18, 2017 6:05 pm

Official unveiling ceremony of the naming of the Central Admin building of UI after late Emeritus Prof. Tekena N. Tamuno

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

The Management of the University of Ibadan, UI, on Saturday named the institution’s Central dministrative building after the first alumnus Vice Chancellor of the institution, late Emeritus Professor Tekena Nitonye Tamuno in recognition of his contribution to the premier university.

Declaring the name for the building that was just renovated and raised by a floor, the Council Chairman, Nde Waklek Joshua Mutka stated that the late Prof. Tamuno eminently deserves the honour, considering his contributions to the development of the university.

Nde Mutka noted that history was kind to Prof. Tamuno because his contributions and achievements were well documented, which he said would continue to guild this generation.

In his speech, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka noted that UI was not doing Tamuno any favour by naming the Central Adminitrative Building after him because the decesased and his wife diligently served the institution with all their energies and intellectual resources.

He said, “He deserves every honour we can accord him. We are not offering him any favour by naming this building after him. Instead of calling this place Central administrative Building or Central Porters’ Lodge, we just felt why can’t we name it after this man that has done so much for us”.

Responding on behalf of the family, the spouse of the honoree, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Tamuno, a former librarian of the institution described the honour as huge, stressing that the family would be eternally grateful to the university.

UI Council Chairman, Nde Waklek Joshua Mutka in handshake with Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Tamuno while Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, UI VC watches in admiration

“We both came here together. We served UI with all our power, we raised all the children here, and we grow old here, therefore UI is so dear to our hearts as we are so attached to it. I am sure my husband will be very happy seeing this honour”.

Tamuno popularly called TNT was the UI VC between 1975 and 1979. He admitted the current VC, Prof. Olayinka to the institution as a student in 1977 alongside others.

Born in Okirika, Rivers state on January 28, 1932, Tamuno attended St Peter’s School in his hometown of Okrika for primary education. Upon completion, he attended Okrika Grammar School From 1953 to 1958.

He studied History in UI before leaving the country in 1960 to continue his studies at Birkbeck, University of London and Columbia University. In 1962, he returned to the premier university as a lecturer.