2012 International Reunion Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Citation
MANAGEMENT/PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CATEGORY
Professor Michael Oladimeji Faborode Ph.D., FNSE, FNIAE
The winner of the 2008 Great Ife Alumni Award for Excellence in the Management/Public Administration category is Professor Michael Oladimeji Faborode. This award is in recognition of his excellent services in the area of University & Public Administration in Nigeria, and his outstanding contributions to society and humanity.
Abridged Profile
Michael O. Faborode, a Professor of Agricultural Engineering, Registered Professional Engineer, and former Vice President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) is the incumbent Secretary-General of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities/Committee of Vice Chancellors (AVCNU/CVC). He is also the serving President of the West African Society for Agricultural Engineering (WASAE). A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE), Prof Faborode received his BSc and MSc degrees at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and his PhD at the University of Newcastle upon Type, United Kingdom.
Prof Faborode assumed duty as the 9th Vice Chancellor of OAU in July 2006, and within the space of his five-year tenure, he had transformed the University from being a beleaguered unstable academic institution entangled in perpetual student and staff crisis and closures to one now poised to fulfill its destiny.
Born in Supare, Akoko in September 1956, young Faborode, the son of Late Pa S. O. Faborode (a teacher) and Mama Lydia Faborode (who is still young and kicking at 80+), had his primary education in Oka-Akoko (St. John’s), Oka Junction (St. Luke’s) and Supare (St. James’s), before proceeding to the prestigious Victory College, Ikare where the signs of what God Almighty had in stock for him began to manifest. He had the best result in his set, and was highly regarded and respected by his classmates and juniors alike. Professor Faborode remains a humble, peace-loving and selfless individual. Indeed he is an epitome of humility. Professor Faborode is happily married to Dr. Mrs. Helen Folake (nee Ajayi) and the marriage is blessed with four Children, two of whom are Engineers, one a Doctor and another, a Diplomat and Fashion Czar in the making.
Distinctions and Awards:
– University of Ife Merit Scholar, 1975-1978
– University of Ife Postgraduate Scholar, 1980/81
– Commonwealth Scholar, 1983-1986
– The United Nations Graduate Study Fellow, 1986
– Listing in the International Who’s Who of Engineering since 1983
– Nigerian Society of Engineer’s Merit Award, 1989
– German Academic Exchange (DAAD) Visiting Fellow, 1991
– Association of Commonwealth Universities Development Fellow, 1995
– University of Newcastle Senior Visiting Fellow, 1995
-Joint 1st Prize Winner NOTAP National Innovation Award for IFEsifta-2002
– 40th Anniversary OAU Alumni Merit Award for technology development
– Special contribution to Agricultural Technology Award for Automated Cassava Mash Sifter and Fryer, NURESDEF 2004 by the -National Universities Commission, November 2005
– Joint 4th Prize Winner, RMRDC Processing Plant Design Award for Palm Kernel Mixture Separator, February 2005
– Honored as Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Builders (NIOB), 2008 for contribution to the development of the built environment in Nigeria
– 1st Prize Winner, RMRDC Processing Plant Design Award for Rotary counter current flow crop dryer by his Research Team led by Engr Lateef Sanni, 2008
– Decorated with Award of Professional Excellence (APE) by the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), for contribution to professionalism and engineering education in Nigeria, 2009.
The Alumni movement received a boost during his tenure, as he worked in great partnership with the alumni body, worldwide, raising resources for the University’s advancement. He visited many of the branches including those outside Nigeria in San Francisco (2008), Texas and Maryland (2010), UK, and Atlanta (2011), and the Gambia Branch, at whose inauguration in April 2012, he was honored as an Alumnus of Distinction. The citation noted that “he continued to motivate, serve and partner with the Alumni movement even after his tenure as VC”.
A good number of projects were executed or facilitated by alumni during his tenure. These include the OAU bottling water plant by Sir Demola Aladekomo, the Post-graduate College building, by Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim of the Global Fleet, Department of Economics Computer Lab by Sir Fajemirokun, the Estate Management ICT Lab by Exxon Mobil, The new Geosciences Lab Complex by the PDTF, the 500-seater Lecture theater by 1st Bank Plc, New ICT Building by Skye Bank Plc, to mention a few. Indeed many have joined the alumni as a complement to his inspiring partnership. Hence the Alumni movement is indeed very proud to confer this special recognition on this illustrious and highly distinguished and accomplished alumnus. Mike Faborode didn’t just pass through Great Ife; he provided leadership, persevered, conquered and transformed the University. A truly great alumnus, and the 9th Vice- Chancellor of great Ife, our Great University.
Congratulations.
By receiving this Award for Excellence, Professor Michael Oladimeji Faborode is automatically inducted into the Great Ife Alumni Hall of Distinction.