By Jubril Olalekan
Friday, 22nd of March, heralded one of the most gloomy days in the history of Nigeria; the memory of which would forever run tears down our cheeks and bow our heads in despair for the loss of our gallant soldiers – men upon whom we vaunted – the symbols of the glory and the pride of the land, whose lives were brought to an abrupt end at thee time when needed the most, in a military plane crash in Kaduna.
Onboard was the Chief of Army of Staff of Nigeria, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, and eleven other gallant compatriots. And unfortunately, out of these eleven others was University of Ibadan’s own; the provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, in the person of Brigadier General Olatunji Luqman Olayinka(51), who hailed from Ikorodu, Lagos State, and was a MPhil/PhD student in the Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies, Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Ibadan.
Quoting the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebola Babatunde Ekanola, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, the Director of Public Communication, described Brigadier General Olayinka as a highly cerebral, diligent, disciplined and focused officer, who was interested in using strategic studies to address security challenges in Nigeria”. A rare gem indeed.
Aghast and heartbroken by this irreconcilable loss, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. A. B. Ekanola, has sent a heartfelt message and some words of prayers for the departed valiant and gallant soldiers, to commiserate with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari; the family of the deceased, friends and other associates. He wrote:
“Brig. General Olayinka and others laid their lives for peace, security and unity of Nigeria. They would be remembered for their contributions to making Nigeria better than they met it. Today, this grief has touched us all. We must share the pain together. This loss is just as much ours.”
“It is from dust that we come and to the dust we shall return. His death is a great loss to his family, Nigerian Army, University of Ibadan and the country generally.”
“On behalf of Council, Senate, Congregation, Management, Staff and Students of the University of Ibadan, I condole the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Visitor to the University of Ibadan, family and good people of Nigeria on this unfortunate incident. May God rest their souls in peace. Amen.”,
Lastly, in paying our last respect to the departed souls; the University of Ibadan Flag will complement the National Flag of Nigeria to be flown at half-mast on the campus for three days beginning from Monday, May 24, 2021 till Wednesday, May 26th , as ordered by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.
