TRIBUTE: “Mudered FUTA VC man of dignity, impact” says family member, coworker
By Rotimi Akinola
Former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Prof. Albert Ilemobade, was allegedly murdered by his aides.
The media are inundated by news of how the 79-year-old was killed.
None seems to be talking about how he lived – the impact the people around him felt from his dignified existence.
We figured no one could tell that story better than the members of his own family.
Abimbola Okonkwo, a niece who worked very closely with the don, said she had to “open up my heart and tell the world how dad lived” in the hope that that would take the publicity away from Prof’s killers and beam it on the glorious life “Baba” lived.
We asked her a simple (actually complicated) question:
“What are your sweetest memories of Prof?”
Then she let the words out, all the moment restraining tears from bathing eyes that “hopes to see Baba again.”
“First was his concern for me when he thought I was depressed,” she began.
“I just finished in the university and he felt I would be bored staying at home so he asked me to work with him. I did but most times I was on my own at the office, and very quiet.
“He called my dad and expressed concerns he felt I was depressed. He wanted to know if something was wrong. He’s that caring.
“We used to view him like a demi-god. Even though we stayed with him for a while, we were in awe of him (she laughs mildly).
“I remembered the time we sneaked to watch him eat. I wasn’t sure if he ate. He is a very stately man and carried himself with class. You can easily see why I was surprised and it really felt good.
“He would ask after me from my dad and asked why I didn’t come around to see him.
“I took to the same profession like he did and he was glad about it. He encouraged me.
“Truth is I had just begun to get comfortable with him when he was murdered. Not that he was difficult to live with. As children, we were always in awe of him. Over the years, he had always encouraged my being freer with him.
“During my introduction, he was our family leader and spokesman. You would think he was my dad. My dad didn’t have to say much.
“Prof was very blunt and tackled my in-laws to know if they were serious about their intentions
“He asked my husband if he was sure he wanted to marry me or if he was just joking. ‘We don’t joke with our daughter,’ he said.
“I felt pity for my husband because dad (Prof) just kept at him, but I felt good. He made me feel like a princess – a really special princess.”
“I was supposed to see him today (the day of the interview). He had been asking after me from my dad and I called him some two weeks ago promising to see him. He said in Yoruba ‘I will be expecting you.’
“I wish now I overcame my shyness at getting close to him much earlier. If you grew up knowing dad (Prof), you’ll understand why it was a bit hard for me. He is a dignified man.”
Abimbola Okonkwo teaches English at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).
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