Mosobalaje Oyawoye
Jamiu Mosobalaje Olaloye Oyawoye FAS (12 August 1927–22 May 2023), was a Nigerian Geologist and a community leader.[1] He was one of the pioneer students at the famous Offa Grammar School. He obtained his PhD in Geology from Durham University in 1959.[2] He started his career as a lecturer in the department of Geology at the University of Ibadan, where he resigned in 1977.[1] He was chairman of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc between 1995 and 2005. He was a member of the International Geological Correlation Programme and the first president of the Geological Society of Africa.[3][4]
Biography
Oyawoye was born to Prince Monmodu Oyawoye of the Anilelerin Royal Family in Offa and Alhaja Sellia Amoke from the Ikirun Royal Family.[5] He was born on August 12, 1927, in Offa, a city in Kwara State in north-central Nigeria. He attended Methodist Primary School, Ode-Olomu Offa and Offa Grammar School between 1943 and 1946.[6][7] Oyawoye received his Bachelor of Science degree from Washington State University in 1955 and his Doctor of Philosophy Degree Durham University in 1959.[8]
From 1960 he was a Geology lecturer in the Department of Geology at the University of Ibadan. He was named Professor in 1966 and promoted to head of the department of geology in 1968.[5][9] He later helped found the Zambian School of Mines at the University of Zambia.[5][9]
Achievements
He was a member of the Nigeria Council for Science and Technology from 1970 to 1974, member of the Ibadan University Council from 1970 to 1976, member of the first board of the Federal Capital Development Authority from 1976 to 1980, and chairman of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) from 1985 to 1988. Chairman, Kaduna Refining and Petroleum Company (NNPC) (1989–1993) and Chairman, Federal College of Education Yola (1989–1993) Prof. Oyawoye was formerly the Chairman of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. He was also a former Director at RAK Unity Petroleum and later Chairman of the Company.[5][9]
Oyawoye died on May 22, 2023, at the age of 95.[10]
Awards
- Alumni Achievement Award, Washington State University (1984)
- Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (1991)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe (2008)
- Officer of the Order of Niger (2000)
- Commander of the Order of Niger[5][9]
- Nominated for the Nigeria Centenary Honours Award (2014)[9]
References
- ^ a b Oyekola, Tunde (22 May 2023). "African first geology prof., Oyawoye, dies at 95". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- University of Durham: 19. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ Azeez, Biola (22 May 2023). "Oyawoye, Africa's first professor of Geology is dead". Tribune Online. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ Ilorin, Mumini AbdulKareem (23 May 2023). "Africa's first Prof of Geology, Oyawoye, dies at 95". Daily Trust. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ ISBN 978-978-8457-89-3.
- ^ Adeolu (6 March 2017). "OYAWOYE, Professor Mosobalaje Olayoye". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ Report, Agency (12 August 2021). "Kwara gov felicitates first African geology professor, Oyawoye, at 94". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Tribute to Prof. Oyawoye at 78". BNW Headline News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Tomori, Abdulfatai (28 May 2023). "Alade Merin: Remembering the Life and Times of Africa's 'Father of Geology'". Factual Times. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ^ Ochogwu, Sunday (22 May 2023). "Nigeria will miss him immensely - Buhari mourns Prof Oyawoye". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 23 May 2023.