The Alaketu of Ketu, Oba Anicet Akanni Aderomola Adedunloye (extreme right), Emeritus Prof. Anthony Ijaola Asiwaju, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the State Commissioner of Education, Prof. Adelaja Arigbabu at the the international conference on “Comparative African History And Borderlands Studies” held at the Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Emeritus Professor Anthony Ijaola Asiwaju, a foremost scholar of Boundary History and Comparative Borderlands studies in Nigeria has been described as an astute border scholar of repute that has carved a niche for himself globally.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of an international conference on “Comparative African History And Borderlands Studies” at the Cultural Center, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, the Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Surveyor Adaji Adamu said Prof Asiwaju has contributed immensely to scholarly discuss on borderlands issues.
Surveyor Adaji who spoke extensively on the erudite Emeritus Professor at the conference held under the auspices of the Ogun State Government in honour of Professor Asiwaju noted that the borderlands scholar had helped to put Imeko, his homeland on the global front burner.
He described Emeritus Professor Asiwaju as immeasurably intelligent and a reputable scholar whose advocacy led to the creation of the Borderlands Commission.
Surveyor Adaji noted that Emeritus Professor Asiwaju who is a member of the National Boundary Commission and the Chairman of the Ogun State Boundary Committee would never be forgotten in a hurry by his people, state, nation and the world as his works and contributions are enduring.
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who declared the 2-day conference opened lauded Emeritus Professor Asiwaju for his indefatigable efforts on borderlands delineations.
The governor who was represented at the occasion by his deputy, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele said the state sponsored the conference as a birthday gift to Emeritus Professor Asiwaju whose 86th birthday will come up shortly after the conference.
In his appreciation remarks, the Emeritus Professor said he is looking forward to a successor to carry on his works as there is no success without a successor.
He pointed out that he too wore the shoe of Professor Saburi Biobaku, another notable Nigerian scholar and historian who he also succeeded.
Also at the conference were Prof. Abayomi Adelaja Arigbabu, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola of the University of Lagos who chaired the occasion and the two Vice Chancellors of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun and the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, both in Ogun State, Prof. Oluwole Banjo and Prof. Ayodeji Johnson Agboola.
The event was also graced by the Onimeko of Imeko, Ogun State, Oba Benjamin Alabi Olanite, Egi-Ogboye, Akanki IV and the Alaketu of Ketu, Benin Republic, Oba Anicet Akanni Aderomola Adedunloye.
