•The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Olukayode Adebowale (right) during his condolence message to late Otunba Subomi Balogun’s widow, Olori Abimbola (seated left) and other family members during the visit.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, has led a delegation from the institution, on behalf of its Council, Senate, Congregation, staff, and students, to commiserate with the family of the late, Otunba Subomi Balogun at the family estate in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
In his condolence speech, Professor Adebowale commented on how Otunba Balogun touched many lives in the premiership university, saying that this explained why his name had been immortalised on the M campus, and why he was given the honorary degree of the LL.D of the University in 1989.
The Vice Chancellor expressed the hope that the University of Ibadan and the Balogun family would continue the relationship even after his death.
He informed the family that the University of Ibadan would be 75 years old in November, inviting its members to be part of the celebration with an endowment in the name of the Balogun family.
A son of the deceased, Mr Jide Balogun, who spoke on behalf of the family, said his father’s relationship with the University of Ibadan went back as long as he could remember.
He said the immediate family is privileged to have had a father like the late Otunba Balogun, who was very generous.
He said further that many people had come forward since his father’s demise to talk about his generosity to them.
Mr Jide Balogun promised that the family would grow those endeavours and philanthropic gestures.
He also assured that the family would meet with the University of Ibadan to look at the common areas to grow his philanthropy.
The Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and the fortitude for the family to bear the irreparable loss.
She prayed that the University of Ibadan should forever remember Otunba Subomi Balogun’s philanthropy.
Professor Omigbodun also prayed for the success of all the burial programmes.
The University of Ibadan delegation was received by the widow, Olori Abimbola Balogun; three sons of the deceased, Messrs Jide, Ladi and Gboyega Balogun.
The delegation included the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebowale; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. E.O Ayoola; Registrar, Mr Ganiyu Oke Saliu; Bursar, Mr. Adewuyi Popoola, represented by Mr. S. O. Olojede; Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun; Deputy Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. Fatai Adeniyi;
and Deputy Registrar, Office of the Vice Chancellor, Mrs Morenike Afolabi.
Others were Deputy Registrar, Council Secretariat, Mrs Francisca Ayodele; Deputy Registrar/Secretary to the College of Medicine, Mr. E. O. Odedele; Principal Assistant Registrar, Directorate of Public Communication, Mrs. Adejoke Akinpelu; Acting Managing Director, UI Ventures, Mr. Francis Akingbade; Manager, Consultancy and Computer Services, UI Ventures, Mrs. Hellen Abu; and UI Principal Protocol Officer, Otunba Gboyega Badejo.
Some of the ways in which the late Otunba Subomi Balogun impacted the University include:
•He made life easier for the many physically-challenged residents of the Queen Elizabeth II Hall with the donation of a new 18-seater bus.
•He spent his time, talent, and treasure to give the UI Ventures Ltd its solid foundation as the first Chairman of the company.
•He donated the Otunba Tunwase National Paedriatric Hospital to the University of Ibadan lock, stock, and barrel.
•He donated N80 million ‘Friends of Subomi Balogun Fund’ raised on his 80th birthday to the University.
•He made many other benefactions to the University of Ibadan.
Otunba died in London on May 18 following a brief illness. He was aged 89.
He was the founder of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
