By Prof Hassan A. Saliu
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) was one of the universities established in Nigeria in 1962. Its establishment cannot be divorced from the agitation for more indigenous universities in the country. Unlike the University of Ife and the Ahmadu Bello University that were established by regional governments, UNILAG was the first Federally-owned university to be established in the country, If we reckon with the fact that the University of Ibadan was established under colonial rule. It was established by the Balewa Government in the First Republic. Ever since, it has been producing high calibre manpower for Nigeria and other countries. One of its proud alumni who obtained all his degrees from the University is Prof. Adelaja.
UNILAG’s alumni have a strong level of attachment to their university to the extent that when the Jonathan administration changed its name to Moshood Abiola University, in recognition of the winner of the June 12 presidential election held in 1993 but that was controversially annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida military administration, it was resisted. Its Alumni, staff and students rose up in agitation for maintaining the name of the university because they had argued that UNILAG is a brand known all over the world. Therefore, effecting a change in the name of the university would greatly affect its standing. They advanced this reason in order to discourage the government from going ahead with the renaming of the university and succeeded.
Looking at UNILAG from the angle of the discipline of Political Science, the university has produced some intellectual giants such as Professors Bolaji Akinyemi, Stephen Omogbemi, Alaba Ogunsanwo, Adele Jinadu, Remi Anifiwoshe, Adeoye Akinsanya, Tunde Babawale, Solomon Akinboye, Derin Ologbenla, Browne Onuoha, among others.
It has continued to produce world-class scholars. One of its younger generation of scholars is the subject of this tribute. Prof. Adelaja is an energetic scholar who ordinarily is easy going and minds his business. However, not on all issues. To be sure, he is a comrade who can tolerate any topics under the sun but his mood can easily change when issues affecting ASUU are under consideration. On a number of occasions, I have watched him and observed that he is not tolerant of any anti- ASUU’s sentiments from anyone who is not a fan of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
He can raise his voice and be prepared literally to engage in fisticuffs with anyone, if need be. One easiest way of losing his respect, which he has in abundance and displays openly is to start talking down on ASUU. In all circumstances, he is always pro-ASUU. I can therefore observe that his essence as a scholar will be empty without ASUU and its politics that he is deeply involved in.
Expectedly, he has headed ASUU as a branch Chairman and he is currently serving as a Zonal Coordinator for the union. He became the Dean of the Social Sciences a couple of months ago and he is already making his huge impact with his innovative ideas and programming. He has combined his Deanship position with that of being the Chair of Board of Studies at the Administrative Staff College, Topo, Badagry. Prof. Adelaja is a bundle of energy, who works hard to achieve whatever objective he sets for himself if I recall an occasion in Abuja when he engaged me on some academic matters. He listened attentively to my submissions and assimilated every aspect of my advice on that occasion. I am therefore happy that he has made it to the pinnacle of his career.
Regarding his area of Political Science, I think that should be obvious from all I have said about him so far. He is a committed Marxist who belongs to the sub-set of political economy and more specifically, comparative political economy. I have read a couple of his articles and I can attest to it that he is a Marxist scholar. Although he rarely speaks the language of a Marxist in a loud manner, the substance of his arguments easily gives him out as to the group of scholarship he belongs. Unlike a few others that I have written on who are comrades by their social engagements, Prof. Odukoya is a Marxist both in theory and engagement. Some of his publications attest to this description. For instance, he has contributed on the Burden and the Challenge of Imperialism and Dependency in Africa; Crisis and Contradictions of Capitalist Accumulation in Nigeria; The Political Economy of Nigeria’s Democratic Experience: An Analysis of the 2003 General Elections, which he co-authored with Ishola, among other papers he has written. He has co-edited a book titled: Federalism, Elections and Challenges of Democratic Governance in Nigeria, which he co-edited with Prof. Warisu Alli in honour of Professor Adele Jinadu when Jinadu turned 80 last year.
I have met him on several occasions on the platforms of SIRA and gatherings of Political Scientists. Through such encounters, I have found him to be a loyal member who, at times, has roughened some feathers on account of his strong commitment to the Marxian tradition and on ASUU matters.
The lessons to learn from this emerging academic giant are many but three of them stand out. One is his readiness to learn from elders, especially in the field of Political Science who he holds in high esteem due to their experiences garnered over the years. Second, he is very respectful. He gives everyone the respect he deserves. Most of our younger ones surely have a lot to learn from him on these scores. Being a notable academic does not mean one should be disrespectful of elders and arrogant in one’s dealings with seniors and juniors. Third, he is loyal to any organisations he belongs. He readily discharges his duties and fulfills his obligations to such organisations without any pressures being applied on him to do so.
No doubt, Prof. Adelaja is a member of our association, but the message from NEC to him is that he should allow the NPSA to occupy more space in his heart as he does for ASUU, SIRA and other organisations.
I, on behalf of the exco of the NPSA, congratulate the Marxist-Scholar for adding one more year to his age. Congratulations to you, Prof. Adelaja!
The author is the President, NPSA.
