Date: 2018-09-03

The Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Prof. (Mrs) Medinat Folorunsho Salman, has been described as a hard-working teacher, refined personality and a celebrated administrator who deserves to be emulated as the nation matches on in her pursuit of true greatness.

This observation was made by a Judge of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, Justice Halima Ayodele Saleeman, last Thursday while speaking at a programme organised by an Ilorin-based socio-cultural organisation, the "Pakata Patriots", in honour of the don.

Justice Saleeman, who was the Lady Chairman at the programme, agreed with the organisers of the event that the Professor of Mathematics Education is a dedicated educationist, an exemplary academic and a shining model of a determined lady.

The jurist described Prof. Salman as a "subsisting pride" to womanhood and a relentless community developer, who attained the pinnacle of her career, despite several cultural challenges, without causing or constituting any form of injury to other societal responsibilities expected of her, particularly in her roles as a wife and mother.

Justice Saleeman added that she was not surprised about the glowing career and steady progression the University don was recording in her chosen profession, stating that the Special Recognition Award she was given was simply a further acknowledgement of the initial "proclamation" of the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari (CFR), that the educationist is and would remain the undisputable Leader of Ilorin women-folk in the academic arena.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. AbdulRasaq Alada, a former Dean of Student Affairs, University of Ibadan, rejoiced with Prof. (Mrs) Salman for the recognition conferred on her by her community of birth. He expressed the conviction that the award would certainly spur her to offer greater services to the development of the community and propel others who are or may be so privileged to always remember to give back to their roots.

In his goodwill message, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), who attended the event with his wife, Dr. (Mrs) Taiwo Ambali, commended the Awardee for being a consistent pride to Ilorin Emirate community, the University of Ilorin community and womanhood.

Welcoming guests to the event, the President of the Pakata Patriots, Ilorin, Mallam Shehu Aliyu, disclosed that his organization decided to confer her first Special Recognition Award on Prof.(Mrs) Salman because of the community's appreciations of the several efforts the Unilorin don has made towards the development of her ancestral community as a model mother, an accomplished educationist and as a great mentor, whose activities and attainments had significantly reduced the rate of female drop-out in schools at all levels in Ilorin and its environs.

He also thanked members of the academic staff of the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, and the University community at large, for finding Prof.(Mrs) Salman, who he described as a priceless daughter of Pakata, worthy of being elected unopposed as the Dean of the Faculty of Education of the Nigeria's most sought-after University. In her acceptance speech, Prof. (Mrs) Salman thanked the Pakata community and the Association, in particular, for the honour done her. She assured them that she would continue to contribute her quota to community development as she also gave assurances that she would not do anything that would spoil the glittering image of her profession, family as well as that of the Pakata community.

Among those who graced the event, which held at the Pakata Multi-Purpose Hall, were the immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services),University of Ilorin, Prof. Adedayo Yusuf Abdulkareem; the Chairman of the University of Ilorin Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),Dr. Usman Adebimpe Raheem; the Director, Counseling and Human Development Centre, University of Ilorin, Dr AbdulRasaq Oniye; the Deputy Director, SWIES, University of Ilorin, Mr. K. S. Abdulsalam; as well as the University Estate Officer, Mr. Sahid Baba.