News Desk: Unilorin mourns Tamuno, its pioneer head

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), has described the death of the pioneer head of the institution, Prof. Tekena Tamuno, as a big loss to the Nigerian academic community.

Prof. Tamuno, who was appointed the pioneer Principal of the then University College, Ilorin, in October 1975, died penultimate Saturday  (April 11, 2015) in Ibadan, at the age of 83.

Reacting to the death of the renowned historian and distinguished University administrator, Prof. Ambali stated that the late Prof. Tamuno would be remembered for his vision and pioneering role in laying a solid foundation for the University of Ilorin upon which generations of Vice-Chancellors after him are building.

The Vice-Chancellor stated further that the late Prof. Tamuno's foresight and dedication and those of his successors contributed in no small way to the current pre-eminent position of the University of Ilorin in the committee of universities in Nigeria and Africa in general.               In a condolence letter written to the widow of the late historian, Prof. Ambali noted that “Prof. T. N. Tamuno contributed significantly to the establishment, development and stability of the University” of Ilorin, adding that he was “a pleasing, friendly and easy-going person, who was loved by all who were privileged to work with him.”

The letter, signed on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor by the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Obafemi, a copy of which was made available to Unilorin Bulletin, also read, “We share your grief at this very difficult and trying period. It is in time like this that one’s faith is put to test. We know that life will not be the same without him but you have to accept this passing on and give thanks to the Almighty God for the wonderful life he lived.”

The Vice-Chancellor therefore prayed that the good Lord comfort and stregthen the widow and the entire family that the late Emeritus Professor left behind while praying God to grant his soul eternal repose.

Born on January 28, 1932, in Okrika, Rivers State, the late Prof. Tamuno attended St. Peter's School, Okrika, from 1938 to 1946; Okrika Grammar School, Okrika from 1947 to 1951; University College, Ibadan from 1953 to1958; Birkbeck College, University of London from 1960 to 1962; and Columbia University, New York City, United States from 1965 to 1966.                              The late Prof. Tamuno, who also served as Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan between 1976 and 1979, was also the Chancellor, Redeemer's University, Chairman of the presidential panel on National Security from October 2001 to December 2002 and panel on Policing Nigeria Project from 2002 to 2003.

As a poet and historian, late Prof. Tamuno was a fellow of both the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) and the Rockefeller Foundation and a member of the National Universities Commission (NUC).