FOLORUNSO FATAI ADISA writes.
If you studied History at the University of Ibadan in the 1960's you know Professor JACOB FESTUS ADE-AJAYI and chances are that PROF. knows you too.
Alas! The eminent shrew historian has gone to rest, good people never dies for their work shall immortalize them. As a student of mass communication,i first heard of the name Ade-Ajayi from my lecturer, Mr Julius Sina Aina while undertaking a course entitled "HISTORY OF NIGERIA MASS MEDIA" series of refrences were made to this colossus and i was fascinated to read more about this scholar.
Prof. Ade-Ajayi was born on 26th of May 1929 and he had his early education at St. Paul's School, Ikole-Ekiti and Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti in 1940 and was a foundation student of University of Ibadan, then known as University College in 1948. An intelligentsia and a pathfinder who validated African History as an academic discipline, He employs a less passionate style in his works, especially in his early writings, utilizing subtle criticism of controversial issues of the times. An outstanding scholar who had held different academic positions at the University of Ibadan,teaching positions and researh appointments at the university of California,Stanford,los Angeles amidst others.
Additionally, between 1972 and 1978 the astute professor was the vice-chancellor of my beloved University of Lagos where he demonstrated his flair as a humanitarian par excellence during the "Ali must Go" era by unflinchingly supporting the student against the then Federal Military Government, which cost him his vice-chancellorship.
Some of his works according to wikipedia includes:Yoruba Warfare in the Nineteenth century. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England 1964.
Christian Missions in Nigeria, 1841-1891: The Making of a New elite.
Editor, General History of Africa, vol. VI, UNESCO, 1989.
Co-Editor, A Thousand Years of West African History.
Co-Editor with Michael Crowder: History of West Africa, Longman, London 1971. ISBN 0-231-04103-9.
Conclusively,for all his good deeds and immense contribution in service to humanity, may God in his infinite mercies grant him a peaceful rest and forgive him of any of his iniquities. ADIEU PROFESSOR.
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