It was celebration galore for as Professor Fola Tayo, who clocked 80 years on 29 February, as pharmacists, friends and family members converged at the University of Lagos to celebrate.
While showering encomium on the celebrant, some of the guests at the birthday celebration described Prof. Tayo as a risk taker, bold and uncompromisingly blunt in defending the truth.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion, a former Minister of Health and President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi described Prof. Tayo as an unusual person, always focused and a risk taker who has obtained grace.
“We are happy that in the days of superficiality, we still have people who worked hard and are full of integrity. Nigeria issue is very germane to him, but Prof. Tayo has no doubt fulfilled purpose, because life is about fulfilling your purpose”, Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi said.
The wife of the celebrant, Mrs Mojisola Foluke Tayo described Tayo as her husband, brother, friend and confidant. She said “a bold and uncompromisingly blunt personality in defending the truth, Fola is a very loving, caring, kind, compassionate and adorable father and a most wonderful husband”.
A former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, in his tribute, commended Prof. Tayo for his impact in the pharma space in Nigeria, saying the professor has made a footprints on the sand of pharmaceutical times in Nigeria and globally.
The Provost, College of Pharmacy, Afe Babalola University, Prof. (Mrs) Mbang Femi-Oyewo, described Prof. Tayo, in her tribute, as a man of God with absolute faith in God Almighty, and with so much boldness and audacity.
While welcoming Tayo to the club of octogenarians, the Publisher of Pharmanews and Vice-President, NAPharm (Sir) Pharm. Ifeanyi Atueyi described him as someone who is always frank and expresses his views and beliefs without fear.
‘When Fola does not believe in a cause, he leaves you in no doubt about his opinion. I know him as someone who uses strong words to condemn what he does not believe in. In relating with Fola, I realised that his no is no, his yes is yes; that makes him a trustworthy and a person of integrity’, Pharm. Atueyi said.
The Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, and former Secretary, West Africa Postgraduate College of Pharmacy, Professor Azuka Oparah described Prof. Tayo as an undisputed mentor to several successful persons in the health, management and spiritual spaces.
“Professor Tayo is a great teacher. If he teaches you and you don’t understand, you don’t have the intention to learn. He harbours no primordial interests; he is not tribalised. He focuses on issues rather than sentiments. He has a deep feeling of resentment for inept and corrupt leaders occupying spaces in the country”, Prof. Opara said.
While reacting to the outpouring of tributes, the celebrant, Prof. Tayo, who could not hide his feeling of gratitude busted into a praise session, as he prayed for Nigeria and every participant of the birthday celebration.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of Business School Netherlands International, Nigeria, Prof. Lere Baale, has stated that there is an urgent need for digital transformation of education, not just in Nigeria but across Africa continent, so as to bridge educational gaps and as well build the future for the continent.
Prof. Baale, in his keynote address titled “Digital transformation of education in Africa: Bridging the gaps and building the future”, at the Prof. Tayo birthday celebration, said there is no much digital transformation in the education sector yet, especially in Nigeria, stating that there is need to come up with ideas that will enhance digitisation of education by allowing people to have access to educational information and instructions without necessarily going into physical classroom, and also allow instant feedback, saying that can only be possible through computer.
Baale said it is time to dream and move from lecture room to e-space, adding that there is need to move from physical book to tablet and from brick and mortar school building to digital dormitories, even though there is still need to have one lecture hall to tell a story to the coming generation.
The keynote speaker said digitisation expands access to education, enhances education and bridges the skill gap. He called on stakeholders in the education sector, in Nigeria and across Africa continent to embrace technology and innovation, saying that is the only way to achieve the aspirations of SDG 4 on education and advancing the global agenda for sustainable development.
According to the don, by embracing digital technologies, leveraging innovation, and cultivating a culture of lifelong learning, educational stakeholders can catalyse positive change, foster inclusive and equitable educational opportunities, and empower individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence, competence, and resilience.
“Through strategic investments, collaborative partnerships, and visionary leadership, digital transformation can pave the way for a brighter future where education catalyses personal growth, social progress, and sustainable development for future generations”, Prof. Baale said.
The high point of the event was launching of the celebrant’s book titled “His wondrous grace” and the announcement of Prof. Fola Tayo Legacy Award of N100, 000 (one hundred thousand naira) for overall best graduating student in Pharmacy and best graduating student in clinical pharmacy, in four universities, which include Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan; Olu Akinkugbe Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, and one other university.
