OAU SHINES THE SPOTLIGHT ON ITS OUTSTANDING STUDENTS "OAU STARS" AND HONORS ACADEMIC GIANT PROF. OLADAPO AFOLABI
OAU SHINES THE SPOTLIGHT ON ITS OUTSTANDING STUDENTS "OAU STARS" AND HONORS ACADEMIC GIANT PROF. OLADAPO AFOLABI
By Tofunmi Adewusi
The grand occasion was a landmark double celebration: it formally honored distinguished scholar, scientist, and former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo A. Afolabi, CFR, as the fourth-ever recipient of the prestigious OAU Stars Award, while simultaneously celebrating the brilliant new cohort of OAU Stars—the university’s exceptionally high-achieving student awardees.
The Event Overview
Co-celebrated by Professor Oladapo A. Afolabi, CFR (the principal honoree) and the newly minted cohort of student "OAU Stars". The event featured addresses by OAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, University PRO Abiodun Olarewaju, and Guest Speaker Professor Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe.
A major joint academic celebration featuring keynote charges on ethics, corporate partnership updates from fintech giant OPay, artistic showcases, and the formal presentation of the 4th OAU Stars Award alongside student honors. Held at the Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State on July 15th 2026.
To celebrate students’ academic brilliance, immortalize Prof. Afolabi’s public service legacy, and re-inform the university community of massive ongoing student mentorship and infrastructure pledges from past awardees. By bringing together elite academic, traditional, and national leaders under a dignified, highly coordinated program that integrated formal leadership addresses, heavy moral advice, artistic interludes, and a final grand sequence of physical award presentations.
Character Over Grades: Keynote Insights
A central theme of the day was the vital connection between intellectual brilliance and uncompromised moral discipline.
The Charge on Moral Discipline
Guest Speaker Professor Ebunoluwa Aderonke Adejuyigbe, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, and a proud OAU alumnus, delivered a stirring speech targeted directly at the student "OAU Stars." She charged them to understand that intellectual brilliance must always be anchored by deep moral discipline:
Excellence is built one by one, deliberate step at a time," Professor Adejuyigbe noted. "It is about maintaining discipline even when no one is watching. People eventually forget examination scores, but they rarely forget character. Protect your name, as it is one of your greatest assets. Character is what can make you stay on the executive seat."
She added: "Failure is just an event. Never manipulate evidence to make people comfortable. Humility keeps learning alive, respect earns lasting relationships, and kindness leaves an enduring legacy."
A Fatherly Charge from the Honoree
Speaking last, the principal honoree, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, delivered a heartfelt, unscripted reflection on his journey through public service and scientific research. He urged the student "OAU Stars" to embrace raw determination over simple talent:
Genius is only 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent," he stated.
Accept the things you cannot change, change the things you can, and have the wisdom to know the difference. When you fail, wipe your tears, stand up, and run again. Do not let other people dictate your pace; peer pressure is a distraction."
He concluded with a strict warning on the fragility of reputation: "The only legacy we have is our name. It takes 20 years to build a reputation and only 5 minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently."
Re-affirming Historic Philanthropy for the Stars
The event also served as an important point of reflection for institutional growth. During the ceremony, attendees were re-informed of massive, ongoing commitments previously pledged by past OAU Star recipients who joined the ceremony virtually, to support the university's research and elevate the next generation of scholars:
Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe (1st OAU Star) previously pledged a major financial donation to the OAU Central Office of Research.
Professor Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN (2nd OAU Star) previously committed to donating a brand-new innovation building.
Alhaji Mashood Adeyemi (3rd OAU Star) previously pledged an upcoming development center building alongside a massive mentorship commitment for 307 OAU Stars.
Following this rich tradition of giving back, the honoree Professor Afolabi announced his own vision to step forward and personally mentor 280 of the celebrated OAU Stars moving forward for a period of one year (2026-2027).
Atmosphere, Artistry, and Perfect Decorum
Though the historic Oduduwa Hall was comfortably filled with enthusiastic students and distinguished guests, it was not crowded to the brim, which allowed for a highly focused, dignified, and orderly atmosphere.
The event commenced on a proud note with the powerful renditions of the National Anthem and the Great Ife Anthem. To set the day in motion, the university’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) first welcomed the audience, followed by a warm welcome address from the Vice-Chancellor of OAU. After these initial protocols, a university official read the detailed academic citation of Professor Oladapo Afolabi, which was followed by a solemn, respectful one-minute silence observed in honor of the Professor’s late wife.
The deep sense of decorum in the hall was fully evident during the cultural interludes. The Department of Dramatic arts first delivered a theatrical showcase featuring traditional drummers and vocalists followed by a serene classical performance by the Department of Music. featuring traditional drummers and vocalists. Showing immense respect for the art and the artists, the audience and union members remained completely seated throughout the performances, quietly absorbing the creative displays.
Grand Finale: Physical Award Presentations
The ceremony concluded at its absolute peak with the formal presentation of honors, which was saved for the very end of the event:
1. The OAU Stars Award: The Vice-Chancellor of OAU presented the coveted 4th OAU Stars Award plaque to Professor Afolabi and formally recognized the new cohort of student OAU Stars.
2. Corporate Partnership Recognition: Additionally, global fintech giant OPay shared an update on their expanded educational partnership with Google, which funds a massive student onboarding and scholarship drive across 40 Nigerian universities across the 36 states in Nigeria. In appreciation, the VC presented a partnership award to the OPay representative.
3. Tributes and Gifts: The veteran honoree was also presented with special gifts from his niece, the Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD), the Chemical Student Society, and a commemorative award from his classmates of the 1969 set.
With all honors successfully conferred, this unforgettable double celebration of academic excellence was brought to a formal and graceful close with a final, proud rendition of the Great Ife Anthem and the National Anthem.
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