By KEMI KASUMU
Nigeria’s foremost private institution of higher learning, the Crescent University, Abeokuta, has conferred five personalities with the 2022 Bola Ajibola Community Service Awards for their various contributions to community service and the society at large.
Mr. Idris Katib, Spokesman of the University, said through a statement sent to The DEFENDER that the awards were presented to mark the 16th Founder’s Day, which coincided with 88th birthday of the Founder/Proprietor of the institution that is revered for being a citadel of academic and moral excellence.
Otunba Bolaji Amusan a.k.a. Mr. Latin receiving an award for his contributions to theatre, film and community service in Nigeria, during the 2022 Bola Ajibola Community Service Award marking the 16th Founder’s Day of the Crescent University, which coincides with the 88th birthday anniversary of its founder and proprietor, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), in the institution’s campus, Abeokuta, on Tuesday March 22, 2022.
Beneficiaries of the awards held in the Bola Ajibola Auditorium of the the University main campus Abeokuta on Tuesday March 22, 2022, included Mr Tunde Kelani, popularly known as TK, for the promotion of cinematography and cultural heritage, Mr Bolaji Amusan a.k.a Mr Latin for his contributions to theatre, film and culture, and Mr Desmond Nwachukwu for professional broadcasting and community development.
Other awardees were Dr Ishaq Adebayo Yusuf, an international Islamic scholar, for his contributions to general education with Islamic contents and Mr Jide Taiwo for his humanitarian services to charity and care for the elderly.
In his address, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, said the Bola Ajibola Community Service Award was instituted few years ago to immortalize the numerous contributions of the former Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and founder of Crescent University, His Excellency Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), in Law, Arbitration, Philanthropy and Education.
Prof. Gbajabiamila explained that the 2022 edition of the award has recognized the best personalities in various endeavours.
Earlier, the Founder’s Day Lecturer, Prof. Tajudeen Yusuf, an expert in Insurance and Risk Management, spoke on the topic: “Islam and the Promotion of Peace, Unity and Security in Nigeria”.
He said many security challenges in Nigeria “are symptomatic of the unresolved national questions” such as restructuring, resource control and separatist agitations.
Prof. Yusuf recommended that Muslims should wear the garb of ambassadorship of Islam and be the harbinger of hope to a beleaguered nation “where impunity seems to be the other of the day”.
Presenting the awards, a member of the Board of Trustees of Crescent University, Barr. Adesegun Ajibola (SAN), lauded the contributions of awardees in their various endeavours.
