Professor Emeritus Cornelius Olaleye Taiwo
At a gracious age of 103, Professor Emeritus Cornelius Olaleye
Taiwo, renowned educationist, administrator and lawyer died on Tuesday,
April 8, 2014, at his Ikeja residence in Lagos.
Pa. C.O. Taiwo
To many, Pa Taiwo, who was Nigeria’s oldest Professor, lived a well
rounded life. As an academic, acquisition of knowledge was his second
nature and this was evident in the array of degrees he obtained. His
chain of academic qualifications includes: M.A Degree in Mathematics
from Trinity College, Cambridge University; B.Sc. (Special); M.A; M.Sc;
Ph.D; D.Litt, from the University of London. He also obtained a
Barrister-at-Law degree of the Middle Temple Inn’s Court; and became a
Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Chief Ladi Taiwo
Pa. Taiwo was born on October 27, 1910, at Oru-Ijebu in Ogun State,
Nigeria, to Isaac and Lydia Taiwo. He started school shortly after
World War I and attended St. Luke’s School, a CMS school of St. Luke’s
Church. Oru, Ijebu in 1921. He proceeded to St Andrews College, Oyo, and
later attended Yaba Higher College, Lagos. Pa. Taiwo attended the
University of London and earned a D. Litt degree in 1982. He also earned
an M.A Degree in Mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge
University, a Barrister-at-Law degree of the Middle Temple Inn’s Court
and Hon. LL.D. (Cape Coast).
Modupe Ogunlesi
Pa. Taiwo commenced his teaching career as the headmaster of Sagun
United School, Oru-Ijebu, a government-assisted institution in 1932. He
was the first African Principal of Edo College, Benin City and became
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources in
the former Regional government of Western Nigeria; He was called to the
Bar at the Middle Temple (Inn of Court), London on February 4, 1964, and
enrolled as Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of
Nigeria on July 3, 1964. Pa. Taiwo worked with the Western Nigerian
Government between 1960 and 1966 when he served variously as
Administrative Officer, Inspector of Education and ultimately as
Permanent Secretary, to the University of Lagos where he spent 11 years,
private legal practice and authorship of books. He became the first
Emeritus Professor of Education and Provost of the University of Lagos.
He was also appointed as Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing
Council of the University of Ilorin on September 1, 1990 and became a
Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He taught in
many other universities including University of Lagos before retiring
from active service.
In 1998, Prof. E.O Obe, in an annual inaugural lecture, made a
remark about Pa Taiwo. He had said: “We in the Faculty of Education have
a hardworking academic father who is always following our progress. I,
in particular, have been closely related to him, inspired by him and
have benefited immensely from my association with this illustrious
octogenarian. He is our distinguished Emeritus Prof. C.O Taiwo. I have,
in fact, adopted him as my model academic father.”
Aside, Pa.Taiwo placed premium on academic honours, especially
those awarded him in recognition of his industry in education. And a day
he would always remember was when he was awarded D. Litt by the
prestigious University of London. He wrote about it in his memoir: “My
presentation for the D. Litt degree of the University of London provided
an exciting and fulfilling occasion. It was 2:00pm on Wednesday, March
10, 1982, in the Royal Albert Hall, London. A graduate to be presented
was allowed one or two guests, who in my case were Otunba (Mrs.)
Shonibare and my daughter, Mrs Dupe Ogunlesi. Being guests of a Higher
Doctor, they were seated in the front where they had the best view of
the ceremony.”
Pa. Taiwo’s surviving children are; Chief Ladi Taiwo, a prominent
Lagos lawyer, Dr. Bayo Taiwo, a Consultant Radiologist and Modupe
Ogunlesi (the MD of Adam and Eve Store and wife of Mr. Lanre Ogunlesi of
Sophisticat). He is also survived by many grandchildren and great grand
children.
Papa will be buried after the Easter festival.
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