A former Director of the Centre for Research and Development and Professor of Agricultural Engineering Ayorinde Akinlabi Olufayo has retired from the Federal University of Technology Akure after almost Forty years of meritorious service to the University. To celebrate his life and achievements and contributions to the development of FUTA and tertiary education, a befitting 70th birthday and retirement service was organized in his honor by the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology SEET.
Speaking at the occasion the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji paid glowing tributes to the don describing him as a man of many parts and an academic par excellence.
She said " You have impacted lives and contributed immensely to the enviable heights FUTA has reached today. FUTA's strides are possible due to your input. We promise that we will sustain and improve on the heights you have brought FUTA".
Professor Oladiji said FUTA will continue to tap from his wealth of experience and defer to his expertise. She wished him well in his future endeavors and a blissful retirement.
The Dean of the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Professor Peter Oke said the don played a pivotal role in molding the lives of his colleagues and students alike. He described him as a selfless and a valuable staff member of the school who was instrumental in reproducing scholars that have been the pride of the school overtime.
On his part the Head of the department, Professor Ade Ajayi also described Professor Olufayo as a mentor of mentors, an icon and an exemplary leader who had contributed to the academic development of the school. He said he will be missed by all his students and all the lives he touched in FUTA.
The celebrant while chronicling his life and work experiences attributed his success to God's guidance and favor. He said he faced many challenges but God propelled him even on the darkest days. He encouraged all present not to struggle for positions as it is God who elects people into positions. He said hard work pays and implored people to work wholeheartedly because there will be a reward for faithful service.
Professor Olufayo appreciated his former students stating that they are the ones who contributed to his success and implored them to keep the flag of academic excellence flying. Other members of staff, professors and students also took turns to shower encomium on the don.
Professor Olufayo started his career In FUTA as lecturer II in 1984 and rose through the ranks to become a professor in 2005.
