The Giwa Adinni of Oyo State, Engineer Muftau Open Salawu, on Saturday urged students of the University of Ibadan to uphold excellence and remain disciplined in their academic pursuits.
Salawu gave the charge while speaking as Chairman at the Prof. Abdulganiy Raji Memorial Grand Award of Academic Excellence organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, University of Ibadan branch.
The event, held at the Prof. Musa Abdul Hall, Central Mosque, saw 350 students from different faculties honoured for outstanding academic performance.
Addressing the awardees, Salawu described the gathering as a convergence of brilliant young minds and encouraged them to sustain the success they had attained.
The Babalaje of Ogbomoso land also announced the gift of three million, five hundred thousand naira for the 350 awardees. This is in addition to the plan of the organisers for the distribution of N7,000 to each of the awardees and N3,000 from another guest for the undergraduates.
“You must remain disciplined and committed if you truly want to succeed. Excellence is not a one-time achievement but a continuous process,” he said.
He added that academic success must be complemented with good character and a strong sense of responsibility to society.
The award ceremony, according to the organisers, was aimed at recognising Muslim students who have achieved exceptional academic milestones while also celebrating the legacy of the late Prof. Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji.
Raji, a former lecturer and renowned scholar in agricultural engineering, was described as a distinguished academic whose contributions to teaching, research, and mentorship left a lasting impact on the university and beyond.
Until his death, he served as Chairman of the Secretariat Advisory Committee of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria.
Speakers at the event described his passing as a profound loss to the academic community, noting that his works and influence would continue to inspire future generations.
