President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Professor Mobolaji Aluko, the pioneering Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Otuoke in Bayelsa State, on his 70th birthday.
The President joined family, friends, and well-wishers in celebrating the professor of chemical engineering and former Chair of the Chemical Engineering Department at Howard University in Washington, D.C., United States, for his remarkable contributions to education, engineering, democracy, and community development.
He also felicitated with Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, the Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, on his 70th birthday, April 2.
President Tinubu fondly recalled Aluko’s pivotal role, along with fellow Nigerian exiles in the United States, in the pro-democracy movement and his thoughtful insights on national issues.
Having lived in the United States of America for many years and attained significant professional and academic heights, Prof Aluko returned to Nigeria to contribute to national development.
The president commends him for laying a solid foundation for the Federal University of Otuoke.
Following his tenure, Aluko served in Ekiti State as Director-General of the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD) from 2019 to 2022. He also briefly oversaw the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities.
He is now the Infrastructure and Public Utilities Commissioner under Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
As Professor Aluko marks this significant milestone, President Tinubu prayed that the Almighty will grant him continued strength, wisdom, and health so that he can continue his invaluable service to the nation and humanity.
On Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, the Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, the president lauded him for his exemplary achievements and significant contributions to academia, evangelism, business, and philanthropy.
Reflecting on their shared experiences, President Tinubu recalls, “In October 2019, I had the privilege of sharing the podium with Professor Adegbulugbe as we received honorary doctorates alongside the Sultan of Sokoto, His Majesty Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. Standing beside such a distinguished intellectual, known for his outstanding dedication and humility, was truly an honour.”
The President acknowledged Adegbulugbe’s remarkable academic journey, highlighting his 1976 graduation with a First-Class degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) with a perfect Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0—an extraordinary accomplishment that distinguished him early in his career.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Prof Adegbulugbe’s continued pursuit of excellence and is optimistic about his ongoing contributions to the nation’s development.
He extended warm wishes to him and his wife, Princess Afolake Adegbulugbe, for many more years filled with good health and abundant blessings.
