Tokunbo, a daughter of a former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, talks about her father in this interview with MOTUNRAYO JOEL
Briefly introduce yourself
My name is Tokunbo Somorin; I work as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine with the University of Texas in Houston, Texas. I am the third child of Professor and Mrs. Oye Ibidapo-Obe.
Where did you have your primary, secondary and tertiary education?
I attended University of Lagos Staff School, International School, Lagos and the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
How was your childhood?
It was amazing. I must say, growing up on the UNILAG campus was a privilege. We had constant power supply, safety was not an issue, and school was within a walking distance. Even though our school was a walking distance, my mother or father used to drop us at school to ensure we were not late to school. During that period, in the schools I attended, I always ranked top. I also made lifelong friends and majority of our friends are people I grew up with.
Did your parents visit you often in school?
They really had no reason to, maybe a few times when I was at the Medical school in Idi-Araba, Lagos. My dad visited me a couple of times, his visits attracted too much attention because he was the VC, and since home was literarily 20 minutes away, I preferred to go see them anyway.
Your father is well known in Nigeria. How does it feel having him as a dad?
I am grateful, I feel blessed.
Tokunbo
Did your father influence your career choice?
My mum had more of an influence on my career choice. She definitely played a major role while I was in Medical School. Till this day, my dad still jokes about how her name should be somewhere on my certificate. The fact that I now teach medicine is definitely my father’s influence. I am extremely grateful for the support I received from them. They shaped my life and made me who I am today.
Did they impose their career choices on your siblings and what career paths did your siblings follow?
My parents advised each of us and guided our career choices. My brother, Bambo, has a BSc in Chemical Engineering with an MBA. Mobola is a lawyer; currently a doctoral candidate.
Niyi is a civil engineer and also a doctoral candidate. I would say they guided their children, but they did not impose anything on us.
Describe your father’s personality at home?
My father is always relaxed and cool, he is a wonderful father. My dad is awesome. We have cultivated a habit of getting together when we are all home to just talk and have fun. Also, he always seems to have one paper or the other to write; therefore, he spends time in his study working as well.
Is your father jovial at home?
He is jovial at home; there is no boring moment with him.
Nigerians know a lot about your father since he is a public figure, but what is that thing Nigerians don’t know about your him?
He is a family man. My dad loves to spend time with us, especially his grandchildren. Being together over the Christmas holidays is a tradition; he loves to see his grandchildren excited while opening their presents. We all spend a whole day together every year. On a lighter note, he loves Archie comics and he watches Ben 10 and other cartoons with his grandchildren.
What were the challenges he faced at the start of his career?
He was a Professor and lecturer when all there was to the job was the title. I think a lot of university lecturers at the time I was growing up were underpaid. This is an area I think government needs to pay more attention to.
How would you describe your parents’ marriage?
Most times, when I look at my parents, I admire the love they have for each other. I believe their marriage is ordained by God. I lack words to describe their marriage; theirs is a blessed and happy one.
Did your father advise you on the type of man to marry?
I don’t recall, I married the son of a University of Lagos Professor of Chemistry. My father knew his father long before we knew each other.
How sociable is your father?
My father is very sociable. He is amiable and he is an outgoing personality. It seems people always have a compliment or two about him, even now when I run into people all the way in Houston and even some of my patients, the first question is, ‘Are you Prof’s daughter?’ I also used to get a lot of ‘Omo Oyeee’ while I was growing up. My Dad has fantastic interpersonal skills and runs an open door policy.
What are your father’s favourite meals?
He likes rotisserie chicken; I think it reminds him of when he was schooling in Canada. He also likes ketchup.
What is his favourite drink?
I am not sure he has one. I should think it is water when we are together.
Describe your father’s temperament?
I would describe him as someone who is cool; it takes a lot to get my dad worked up. He gives a really long rope. He doesn’t lose his temper easily. He is patient.
You are saying he doesn’t get angry easily?
No, he doesn’t. He is a great dad.
What do you like about him?
I love everything about him. He is such a wonderful father; the best father one could ever dream of having. I am proud to say he is my dad.
And what don’t you like about him?
I think he sometimes works too hard. I am always telling him he needs to slow down. When I was much younger, I hated asking him for help with my Maths homework; it always ended up being a Maths lesson.
How did he discipline a child who erred?
He disciplined us using various ways. Sometimes, he took away our privileges (game consoles, cable decoder etc). Other times, he would give us punishments such as pick pins, kneel down and raise your hands. It all depended on the gravity of the offence.
The Ibidapo-Obes
Has he ever spanked you or your siblings?
Of course, he has. I can remember all the periods I received a spanking from him. But to be fair, they were few for everyone. Maybe Mobola was the only one who never got spanked by my dad.
How does your father handle criticisms?
He handles them constructively. Now, I, on the other hand, take up any critic of my dad or mum personally.
What is his view on the current state of the nation and President Muhammadu Buhari’s style of leadership?
I think he is hopeful, like most people, hopeful that Nigeria improves.
What does he say about President Goodluck Jonathan?
Dad says, ‘Goodluck Jonathan was the President of Nigeria.’ My father has respect for authority and has instilled that in us.
Where does your father see himself in the next five years?
He still sees himself teaching by then. I know he plans to work till retirement. I also know he had plans to return to the classroom after the Vice-Chancellor term at UNILAG ended, then he was asked to be the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University at Ebonyi State, this has also taken him away from the classroom. On the other hand, he plans to focus on academic research and mentoring in the public sector. I think he is capable of doing quite a lot of other things apart from teaching.
Who is your father’s role model?
God is his first role model. Other names include his father, the late Chief Ladipo Ibidapo-Obe, late Chief V.O. Ojutalayo, and Professor Chike Obi. I also know he has a lot of respect for former President Olusegun Obasanjo and many elder statesmen. Other names are Prof. Ayo Ogunye and Prof. Abass, who both had a lot of influence on his career.
What does he do first when he wakes up and the last thing he does before going to bed?
The first thing he does on waking up is to put on his glasses. I know my parents pray together before setting out for the day and before bed.
Does he read what people write about him in newspapers?
Yes, he does; we all do.
What has kept his marriage strong?
I believe love, prayer, a wonderful and loving woman. My mum is a great person; the best mother one could ever have.
What has been your father’s lowest moment or most trying period that you know?
I think it was the period when school fees were raised by the Federal Government and also when UNILAG students went on a rampage. Even after they looted and burnt our residence, personal cars and other property, we still received death threats and many more. My father was ready to walk away from it all at some point; he did not want any threat to his family at all. But till this day, he believes the act was not committed by UNILAG students. It was an extremely trying time for all of us. But God was faithful then and has remained faithful. Also, when my grandma passed away was a very low moment for him.
Did he fight in the Biafra war, and where was he at that time?
No, he did not. He was an undergraduate at UNILAG during the war and thanks be to God, we understood the war did not get to the stage of having to draft people into the army before it ended.
How does your father like to dress?
He dresses formally mostly on week days and to formal events. On informal occasions, he likes slacks and shirts. He wears complete national dress to church on Sundays and to functions.
In the religious sector, who are his role models?
Pastor E.A. Adeboye is definitely one of his role models. He is a Mathematician like him and a ‘GREAT’ Akokite. His wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, and my dad are from the same town, Ilesa. Pastor Adeboye himself is also from one of the neighbouring towns in Osun State. They both treat him like a brother. I also know he has a lot of respect for Dr. Olukoya, who was very supportive during his term as UNILAG’s Vice-Chancellor.
What do you know about his childhood?
He has not always loved school but has always been brilliant. His mum adored him, but was tough on him. His early education was in Ilesa; I think one of his primary school teachers influenced his choice of Mathematics as a first degree.
What is his advice to you when it comes to money?
His approach is frugality. My dad is a conservative spender.
What special privileges have you enjoyed as a result of being his daughter?
I believe a lot of my professors in medical school wanted me to succeed. They had all eyes on me, most of them were harder on me, and I could not get away with half of what other students were getting away with. I could not miss lectures; I had to study extra hard and in advance, because I never could avoid a question. In retrospect, maybe it was because they did not want to be accused of favoritism. Then, I saw it as a burden, now I realise it was a privilege, and perks of being the VC’s daughter.
If he wasn’t in the education sector, what else would he be doing?
Probably in the petroleum sector, he was already at British Petroleum (later African Petroleum) before joining UNILAG. My dad has fantastic interpersonal skills and I believe he could be anything he wants to be. He can carry out a conversation on any sector or career. However, I believe he will also make an excellent UN representative or an ambassador but still as an academic.
What values have you imbibed from him?
I have imbibed hard work, diligence, and being principled.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com