Unilorin V-C designate says deceased pro-chancellor, Rafindadi, detribalised Nigerian

Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), the Vice-Chancellor designate of University of Ilorin, has described the late Yazid Rafindadi, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the institution as a patriotic and detribalised Nigerian.

This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Ilorin by Mr Kunle Akogun, the Director of Corporate Affairs of the university.

Egbewole, who expressed shock over the sudden death of the pro-chancellor, said that the news of the death of Rafindadi was confounding, confusing and totally unbelievable.

He recalled that shortly before the demise of the pro-chancellor, they had a prolonged phone chat.

“We discussed extensively on the need to organise a befitting valedictory programme in honour of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem.

“And the late pro-chancellor who announced my appointment on Sept. 8, as the vice-chancellor designate for the institution, graciously approved my proposal.

“I have had the very rare opportunity of sitting in Council with the late Chairman.

“And I wish to put on record the way he conducted proceedings depicting extreme candour, courage of conviction and always putting the institution first,” he said.

According to him, the late Yazid was a thoroughbred administrator, astute manager of human and material resources, and a firm believer in Almighty Allah.

He noted that for all the times he interacted with Rafindadi, the deceased remained focused, determined and highly committed to the assignment.

“As painful as the demise is, we are consoled that he served Allah, his creator, and he discharged the assignment as part of his divine worship (‘ibadah)”.

“May Allah be pleased with him, forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanah Firdaus. May Allah comfort the family and grant them the fortitude to bear this great and irreparable loss, Amen!” he stated.