– Professor Jeremiah Oludele Ojediran Receives Prestigious Traditional Title As he concludes a transformative tenure at the helm of Nigeria’s premier private university of technology
In a ceremony steeped in tradition and mutual respect, the ancient throne room of the Olota of Ota land, played host to a momentous occasion, one that bridged the worlds of academia and royalty, celebrating a legacy of service that will echo through the corridors of Bells University of Technology for generations to come.
Professor Jeremiah Oludele Ojediran, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, made his final official visit to His Majesty, Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege, Ph.D. (Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode, Olofin Apesin Olode), the revered Olota of the Ancient and Paramount Ota land, Awori Kingdom. The visit, framed as a courtesy call, evolved into something far more significant, a formal recognition of a leader whose stewardship has left an indelible mark on both the institution he served and the community that embraced it.
A Procession of Dignitaries
Arriving in the company of the outgoing Bursar, Mr. Sina Adepoju, and other university principal officers, Professor Ojediran’s entourage included a figure whose presence underscored the deep ties between Bells University and the Otta community: Elder Tunde Kasali, a distinguished stakeholder in the ancient Otaland and a longstanding member of the university’s Board of Trustees. The delegation’s composition spoke volumes about the symbiotic relationship between the institution and its host kingdom, a partnership that has flourished under Ojediran’s leadership.
Gratitude and Reflection
In his address to the monarch, Professor Ojediran offered a heartfelt tribute to Kabiyesi’s unwavering support throughout his tenure. With characteristic humility, he singled out His Majesty’s recent acceptance to serve on the university’s Board of Trustees, a recommendation put forward by the Governing Council, as a particularly meaningful endorsement of his vision for the institution.
“I have been privileged to serve with the full backing of a monarch who understands that the advancement of education is the advancement of his people,” Ojediran noted, his words carrying the weight of a leader who has never taken that support for granted.
Royal Accolades
His Majesty’s response was nothing short of a royal commendation. Professor Obalanlege, himself a scholar of considerable repute, did not mince words in praising the outgoing vice chancellor’s “exemplary leadership” and the “remarkable transformation” that has redefined Bells University during his administration.
The Olota’s praise extended beyond administrative metrics. He lauded Ojediran’s steadfast commitment to academic excellence, his drive for institutional growth, and perhaps most tellingly, his dedication to community development. In a blessing that carried the spiritual authority of the ancient throne, Kabiyesi prayed for long life, robust health, and the divine grace to savour the fruits of years spent in tireless service.
A Chieftaincy Conferred
Then came the moment that transformed a farewell into a coronation of sorts.
In a gesture that elevated the proceedings from ceremonial to historic, His Majesty announced his decision to bestow upon Professor Ojediran the prestigious traditional title of “AsiwajuBaamowe of Ota.” A chieftaincy that translates roughly to “Leader of the Wise Ones,” a fitting epithet for an academic who has guided one of Nigeria’s foremost technological institutions through a period of profound growth.
The title, rooted in the ancient traditions of the Awori Kingdom, represents more than honour; it is an integration into the very fabric of Otaland’s leadership structure. His Majesty indicated that formal communication regarding the conferment, along with the traditional installation rites, would follow in due course.
A Legacy Cemented
For Professor Ojediran, the honor serves as both a valediction and a validation. A recognition that his work has transcended the boundaries of campus walls to touch the soul of a kingdom. As he prepares to hand over the reins of Bells University, Ota, he does so not merely as a retired administrator, but as a newly minted royal figure, forever woven into the tapestry of Otaland’s history.
The ancient stool of the Olota has spoken. And in its wisdom, it has ensured that Professor Jeremiah Oludele Ojediran’s departure from Bells University is not an ending, but a beginning—of a new chapter in a life already rich with achievement, now crowned with the enduring prestige of royal recognition.
