By MICHAEL-AZEEZ OGUNSIJI
THE height that great men reached and kept is not by a sudden flight. This is what an old axiom says. And for Arc. Olatokunbo Fowode, it has been a fulfilling journey of two scores in the land of the living with greater accomplishments that remained unparalleled by his peers.
February 2, 2024 was meant to be a passing out of service for former Rector, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Arc. Tokunbo Fowode after solid 40years of dedicated and meritorious service to Ogun state government and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, but turned out to be a carnival, account of stewardship and records of accolade and goodwill.
Born on Monday, February 2, 1959 in a town called Kumba situated in the southwestern part of Cameroon to a Nigerian craftsman who specialized in Goldsmithing and jewelry making having gone to sojourn in that part of the country that was still in Nigeria before referendum that ceded it to Cameroon, today, Fowode has grown and increased before God and man. Arc. Tokunbo Fowode retired on the occasion of his 65th birthday anniversary after solid 40years of meritorious service to humanity and God in the service of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.
Arc. Fowode needs little or no introduction owing to his human and professional exploits that have seen him contributed meaningfully to humanity in all spheres of life and as he towers high above his peers and contemporaries.
He is, no doubt, an erudite scholar, astute administrator, orator, who equally doubles as a prolific writer, versatile academic and outstanding Polytechnic teacher of many years standing.
Besides, he is a builder of man and resources, a feat which earned him a place in the “Who is Who in Nigeria” and eventually got him named, in February 2016, among the 40 most distinguished personalities in Nigeria of Ogun State origin.
Versatile Fowode had impregnable and intimidating educational accomplishments.
Through his intellectual fecundity, he has produced a number of professional architects and several more on the line. For close to four decades, Arc. Tokunbo Fowode has been involved as a private consultant, and a Project Manager in both the private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy. Successful projects undertaken during this period include among others; the faculty of science and technology complex, Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, stadium complex and female hostel of the university, renovation of Police Detective College, Enugu, Nigerian Army Housing Scheme (Lagos and Ibadan), Rehabilitative & Additive Works of Kayode Oluyemi Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, Keye Court, GRA Ijebu-Ode, Gateway stadia at Sagamu and Ilaro, various TETFUND sponsored projects located on the campuses of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Omu, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and Gateway Institute of Technology, Igbesa.
His works are also at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, and the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, He has equally contributed to knowledge through his presentations at conferences and seminars.
His research activities have taken him to over nine countries in Africa and Europe and over 85 major cities in the world with none sponsored by public agency or government.
His philanthropic, academic cum professional voyage has earned him praises and recognitions from royal institutions, social circle which illuminated the 3,000 capacity OGD Hall of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic on February 2, 2024.
A stalwart in academia and cherished Old boy of Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, highly empathic and emotional, he’s dedicated and loyal to a fault. He is visionary, and extremely friendly. An enigma and pride to Africa.
As exemplified by typical Nigerian politicians, Fowode commanded both old and young, teaching and non-teaching staff, old students of MAPOLY to honour his valedictory service organized by the MAPOLY management held at the OGD auditorium of the institution without a single phone call nor text message, but his leadership acumen, all-inclusive governance as Rector earned him the respect which forced many of his associates from far and near including the Akile Ijebu royal institution trooping out enmass to honour their beloved son.
My encounter with Arc. Fowode during my crisis days in MAPOLY as faculty president, in 2012 gave me opportunity to learn from his visionary and man-management skills hitherto which propelled me to become a crisis manager today. Daddy, as you retire, remember to put in the same effort into your free time as you put into your career. It is wonderful to see someone as deserving as you retire. Ensure you explore adventure, eat well, try physical activities, because very soon, eating will become difficult. I wish you well sir.
Tokunbo Fowode, it is time to enjoy!
Ogunsiji is a former President,
Association of Mass Communication Students (AMACOS),
MAPOLY, 2012 and Chairman, All Departmental Presidents, MAPOLY
