Professor Kamaldeen Balogun, described by Head of Department (HOD), Department of Mass Coomunication Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Dr. Dele Odunlami, as the first emeritus Professor in the history of the university, has retired amidst eulogy from his students, colleagues and admirers.
Platforms Africa reports that Balogun also called Baba imaam, is an erudite Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, the Grand Mufti of Egbaland, and the Chief Imam of Gbaguraland.
His students and admirers including Mr. Yunus Kunle Azeez, a first class graduate of Mass Communication from the University who is presently a staff of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC); Mr. Bola Adekola, and Dr. Dele Odunlami have taken to their Facebook pages to pen emotional tributes for the emeritus Professor.
READ ALSO: Jeleel Ojuade: Chronicles of First Professor of Dance in Yoruba History
Lagos Varsity names Alawode first Professor of Broadcast Journalism
Days After Platforms Africa’s Exclusive, Nigeria pays Oct. Stipend to N-Power Beneficiaries
I Am Angry With State of Nigeria’s Power Sector – Buhari
“Salute to the first Emeritus Professor from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago – Iwoye,” Odunlami wrote.
Bola Adekola wrote;
“If we fail to celebrate the likes of Professor Kamaldeen Balogun while he lives, then we have lost everything to teach humanity of the need to live exemplary life.
This is an Islamic cleric that does not need a single arabic word to convince you to be a Muslim because he lives his teachings.
Here is a teacher that does not need any grammar to let you know he is a Professor because he professes knowledge in his field both within and outside the University Community.
He is humility personified, honest and a descent personality. He exemplifies peace. He runs away from positions where others are battling, craving and killing to get appointments. He serves with humility and will leave every place where he served better than he met it.
Let’s celebrate the erudite Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, the Grand Mufti of Egbaland, the Chief Imam of Gbaguraland, a happy retirement from the academia as he attains the glorious age of 70 years. Congratulations Baba Imam.”
Corroborating Adekola’s view, Kunle Azeez, a first class graduate of Mass Communication from OOU, wrote: “Happy Retirement from Academia to an Exemplary Prof. Imam Kamaldeen Balogun
“For OOUites (whether muslims or christians) who had the privilege of directly or indirectly meeting and interacting with Pof. Emeritus Kamaldeen Balogun at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, before his retirement, they all will acknowledge that he is one of the leading lights in the academic environment at the university.
“So, what has been said (below) of this simple, unassuming and honest Prof. and ‘father’ to many of us at the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), OOU Chapter back then, is just apt, for he is a man of Exemplary life through through. Besides, his Islamic preachings are what you would not like to miss during Friday prayers back then owing to their intrinsically heuristic and inherent didactic values.
“I pray that, as you retire from academia at 70, may your remaining years on the surface of the earth be filled with continued service to Allah and humanity.”
