After his five-year term as the 10th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin in Kwara State, praise was showered upon Professor Sulyman Abdulkareem.
The 47-year-old University’s 11th Vice Chancellor, Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN, took over on Monday after Abdulkareem’s five-year term as vice chancellor expired on Saturday.
The Federal Government founded the University of Ilorin in 1975.
Students, academics, and traditional leaders were among the members of the university community who praised the qualities of the departing vice chancellor, describing him as a clever, intellectual, hard-working Nigerian who is honest and duty-bound.
At the management-organized farewell ceremony, a documentary book about the term and accomplishments of the departing Vice-Chancellor was unveiled, with the working title “Prof Abdulkareem: Footprints of a Giant” (VC UNILORIN 2017–2022).
Although Abdulkareem attended Government Secondary School, Ilorin, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Adeoti, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers and is a former student, noted that even though “the small child showed the attributes of a “Lagos lad,” he was polite to his seniors.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Professor Bolaji Sule, described the Vice Chancellor as “a guy of focus and has a thought of his own.”
From his time in secondary school on, Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Premium Times, hailed Abdulkareem as a clever and adaptable individual in his book review.
He asserted that the Vice-Chancellor is well known for his constancy, which he claimed to be a fundamental aspect of his personality.
Abdulkareem, the departing vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, thanked the administration and well-wishers for the honor conferred upon him in his remarks.
He recalled how COVID-19 and the Personnel Unions’ protracted strike derided his administration, and he added that the institution’s staff had worked hard and supported him throughout his time in office. He also praised Akogun for having the honor of writing the book.
Dr. Folaranmi Olowoleni, Registrar of the institution, praised all the learned academics who spoke about the accomplishments of the departing Vice-Chancellor.