Out of many qualified for the position of Vice Chancellor(VC) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who stood out from the pack, emerged favourably to succeed Prof Rahman Bello as the 12th VC of the institution in November 2017.
On assuming office, Prof. Ogundipe presented a thematic area of focus to revamp UNILAG in the area of research, entrepreneurship, infrastructure among others.
Two years into the position, the VC could not work as fast as he wished due to the bureaucracy of the office as approval of the council needed to be sought for certain decisions.
In the council at the time was the immediate past Chairman, Dr Wale Babalakin who depicted the Lakunle character of Teacher in the Book: The Lion and the Jewel written by Prof Wole Soyinka while Ogundipe typifies Baroka and UNILAG was Sidi.
In the book, the contest for Sidi’s hand lies between Lakunle and Baroka. Lakunle speaks more grammar that is meant for organisation management other than what was workable in the academics. In academia, you speak less English to balance more with popular interests.
Ogundipe would have failed woefully in managing a business like Lakunle but not in academics because he comes off as an administrator who understands the internal workings of a University.
Ogundipe typifying Baroka kept on meeting the needs of UNILAG who took on the character of Sidi while Babalakin as Lakunle kept on using English language and inexperience of running a University to hold back the runnings of the institution.
In 2020, it was time for the final match between Babalakin and Ogundipe to determine who really is the lion.
In the first half of the march, Babalakin played the first penalty which led to an unexpected and unforgettable goal he scored. The news spread like wildfire in the harmattan.
Baroka-Ogundipe, who was caught unawares, was devastated and almost gave up but the second half was there to decide the winner of the match.
At the time, the Federal Government playing the role of the Referee intervened and spectators were uncertain about what the outcome would be. Lakunle-Babalakin in the process assumed a foul play and aimed for an injury so he could be excused as he resigned and left the pitch. Baroka-Ogundipe got revitalised, drank water and started running around the field. Few minutes to the end of the match, Baroka-Ogundipe scored twice.
It was the return of the Lion, a true Baroka who doesn’t mind who speaks better English since he wasn’t bothered as a trained Botanist.
That was how Baroka-Ogundipe won the hand of Sidi for the second term after his first appointment. He found his way back.
Today, 61 couldn’t have been better celebrated without the victory of the match.
A lion, a fighter, a botanist, a researcher, a Pastor.
Cheers to Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe for being a victor.
He fought to finish, he left no chances.
Written by Tosin Adesile, an Alumnus of the University of Lagos