Nairaland Forum

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He was not the best of the lot. But Pa Amodu Alimi, arguably the oldest graduate of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, was the star yesterday at the university’s 17th convocation. He was awarded a first degree certificate in Sociology.

LASU said from its records, Alimi is 80. His son claims he is 75.

Aside getting a special mention form the Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa, Alimi was the darling of students, members of staff and guests, who hugged, shook hands and took group photographs with him.

Alimi nicknamed ‘the youngest student’ enrolled at LASU in 2004. He said the decision to enroll for his first degree in a conventional university was in fulfillment of his passion to become an academic, which, he said, the circumstance of his birth denied him during his youthful days.

Speaking with The Nation, Alimi said humility and respect for constituted authorities saw him through.

He said: “University is not a place for frivolities. I knew where I was coming from and what I came to do here.

“When I retired from LUTH in 1992, I didn’t want to be an old man who would stay indoor and wait for three basic meals from his children. So, I saw going back to school as an opportunity, which I lost while working as a civil servant. I was determined to bear with any negative and positive experiences my going back to school could bring at my age.”

Alimi recalled that a lecturer once seized his handset for one week for forgetting to switch off during a class session. He also recounted when he dozed off in class and was advised by the teacher on the danger of consuming heavy food ahead of lectures.

Alimi’s eldest son and sponsor, Gbade, a chartered accountant, said he was happy when his father indicated interest in earning a degree.

He said: “Daddy is not the type who loves to sit in one place. Besides, he is naturally a strong person. He always loves to keep himself busy. He has never fallen sick or complained of headache all through his years as undergraduate. He could not go to school because of his desire to see all of us through school. So, when he said he wanted to return, it was good news for us all to support him.”

His granddaughter, Yetunde, also saw him as an inspiration.

She said: “I’m glad to have a grandfather who could be doing what many of us could not do even as youths. He is an inspiration to all of us. His life has prodded us to aspire for the peak in our academic careers.”

An employee in LASU library said Alimi used to spend substantial part of his time in the library.

He said: “Baba was always here everyday even during strikes. He usually troubled us to get him one book or the other. There is hardly any book baba did not have or buy. He was always the first person to be here and the last to leave.”

Alimi , who is studying for a Masters degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations at LASU, said he wouldn’t quit until he acquires his Ph.D

“If God spares my life, I will continue to doctorate level,” he said.












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