By Blessing Famose
Professor Ayodele Francis Ogunye, a distinguished academic and leader, delivered a profound opening address at the launch of Emeritus Professor Peter Olufemi Adeniyi’s autobiography, Lifted, and the unveiling of his newly established foundation.
Ogunye, in his speech, paid tribute to the importance of education as a transformative tool, which Adeniyi’s foundation aims to promote for future generations.
Reflecting on the role of knowledge, Professor Ogunye opened his address with a scripture from Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” This, he remarked, underscores the essential role education plays in empowering individuals to render positive services to society. He emphasized that Professor Adeniyi’s career and achievements are products of his dedication to learning and his desire to make impactful contributions. “Without education, the services you render might be harmful,” Ogunye noted, driving home the necessity of proper knowledge in every aspect of life. This commitment to learning and service was central to Adeniyi’s decision to launch a foundation focused on supporting educational initiatives.
The Professor Peter Olufemi Adeniyi Foundation, as introduced by Ogunye, will focus on creating opportunities for educational advancement through scholarships, grants, and financial support. The foundation aims to partner with institutions to foster training and capacity-building programs, provide individual empowerment, and support innovative research in education and community development. Ogunye urged guests to see the foundation’s mission as an impactful venture that will influence future generations and emphasized that their support was vital to realizing these ambitious goals.
Recounting the journey of their long-standing friendship, Ogunye shared that he and Professor Adeniyi met over fifty years ago as new staff members at the university. Their early academic days were marked by a shared mentor, Vice Chancellor Professor J.F. Ade Ajayi, and later, they belonged to an exclusive group known as the “Waterloo Group.” Ogunye proudly reflected on the accomplishments of this ten-member group, with nine becoming professors and many reaching significant leadership positions. For him, the autobiography launch was not only a celebration of Adeniyi’s life but also a testament to their shared journey and the value of lifelong camaraderie.
The autobiography, Lifted, captures various stages of Adeniyi’s life, from his rise as a student and professor to his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Ogunye highlighted the depth of the title, suggesting it reflects the numerous ways Adeniyi has been “lifted” throughout his career—by God, mentors, students, and peers. Ogunye emphasized that the autobiography offers readers valuable insights into a life marked by resilience, service, and faith.
The foundation, launched alongside the autobiography, embodies Adeniyi’s vision of education as a means to empower individuals and communities. Ogunye underscored the foundation’s commitment to providing resources and support for those who may lack access to quality education, stressing the need for generous contributions from attendees. “We are here today to ensure the success of this event and the impactful initiatives that will follow,” he said, calling for support that would enable the foundation to fulfill its mission of transformative education.
Professor Ogunye concluded his address by expressing gratitude to all present for their support and attendance.
He acknowledged their collective contributions as integral to the success of both the autobiography launch and the foundation’s long-term objectives. With this launch, Professor Adeniyi has taken a significant step to continue his legacy of advocacy and educational service, inspiring generations to come.
