Olumuyiwa Awe
OLUMUYIWA AKINTOLA OLORUNNINYO AWE, Ph.D.(Cantab),
F.A.S., M.O.N. Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Ibadan November 13,
1932 – May 3, 2015 Olumuyiwa Akintola Olorunninyo Awe was born to Pa Noah
Abikoye Awe and Ma Sarah Wuraola Awe on Sunday, 13 November, 1932 at Okewata,
Esie, Kwara State. He received his Elementary School education in Saint
Michael’s Primary School, Esie and Saint Mark’s School, Offa. He was admitted
to Government College, Ibadan, in January 1946 and passed the Cambridge School Certificate
Examination in May 1951. He passed the Entrance Examination to the University
College, Ibadan, and enrolled for a degree course in Physics. In 1953, he was
awarded the prestigious college scholarship, and at the end of the 1953/54
session he was awarded the college prize for the best performance in
Mathematics. At the end of the following session, he collected three awards,
namely: the College Prize in Physics, the College Prize in Mathematics, and the
Faculty of Science prize for the most outstanding performance in the Faculty.
He earned the B.Sc. (General) degree in Physics, Pure Mathematics and Applied
Mathematics, , via the affiliation with the University of London. This
spectacular achievement at the end of the 1955 in 1st Class Division, made him
the first person to obtain a 1st Class General degree in Science in the history
of the (then) University College, Ibadan. He crowned this with another 1st
Class Special Honours degree in Physics in June 1956, thus becoming the first
person to obtain a 1st Class degree in Physics in the institution. On the basis
of his outstanding performance in the B.Sc. Special Examination, Muyiwa was
awarded a University College Scholarship to pursue post graduate studies at
Cambridge University, England. Between October 1956 and January 1960, he worked
on his thesis in the area of ionospheric science at the world renowned
Cavendish Laboratory. Upon completion of his studies, Dr. Awe returned to his
Alma matter and joined the staff of the Department of Physics University
College, Ibadan, on the 1st of April, 1960. On Christmas Day, 1960, young
Muyiwa married Miss Bolanle Alake Fajembola (now Professor Mrs. Bolanle Alake
Awe) a gem among women, Professor of History for many years until her
retirement. It is only a man of Dr. Awe’s characteristically analytical and
critical mind who could have made what has turned out to be a perfect choice.
In Bolanle, Professor Awe had a brilliant, devoted, homely and pleasant wife.
It is the generally held view that Bolanle was the crown with which God Himself
adorned his head. And they are blessed with children and grandchildren. He was
promoted ‘Lecturer Above the Bar’ on 7th of June 1962, and ‘Senior Lecturer’ on
6th July 1964In 1962, he was a member of the Federal Government team that
visited the United States of America to discuss Satellite Communications with
various US officials. Dr. Awe moved to the University of Lagos in September,
1965, as Associate Professor and Head of the University’s Physics Department.
He was promoted to full professor in July 1967. On 7 March, 1969, he returned
to Ibadan as Professor of Physics and Head of the Department, the first
Nigerian to occupy the post. His 32 years of total commitment to the
development of Science, and his dedicated and distinguished contributions to
University education and research, as well as to the nation, is a most
impressive legacy that challenges present and future generations. By the time
he retired in September 1991 he had most assuredly left his mark. In 1994, he
was appointed an Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Ibadan. In
1982, he was honoured with the Chieftaincy title Otun Oba of Esie, in
recognition of his many contributions (such as sponsorships, scholarships, and
mentoring) to the development of his home town.
Fantastic!
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