A curious thing took place on Thursday, April 30, 2015 when a seemingly routine advertorial in The Guardian announcing the appointment of chairmen and members of council for 12 newly established federal universities and four federal polytechnics, but a sinister addendum to the heading of the advertorial allegedly signed by the Minister of Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau announced the change of chairman of the University of Ibadan.

To the casual observer, the advertorial contained no earth shaking development. If anything, it called for congratulations on the part of friends and well wishers of the newly appointed chairmen and council members, whose names were meticulously displayed with an invitation to make themselves available in Abuja on Monday, May 11, 2015 for formal inaugurations.

The true implication of the seemingly innocuous advertorial was that a national icon and bona fide leader of an important ethno-national grouping was being disrespected by a vengeful and ungrateful administration. Without the courtesy of prior notice either by way of a letter or phone call, a Nigerian living legend was thus unceremoniously removed from office as Pro-Chancellor of Nigeria’s Premier University. It is instructive to note that President Goodluck Jonathan prevailed on this great Nigerian to accept the position in 2013 at the ripe old age of 85 against the advice of his children and grand children. However, with subtle blackmail on the part of Mr. President, through socio-ethnic organizations the old man was affiliated to, our venerable elder statesman accepted the job for a 4 year tenure that was to end in 2017.

Upon accepting the job, it must be noted that our elderly national icon put in his very best and never exempted himself from any council meeting. In fact, he took meticulous notes of developments at the institution and frequently communicated his thoughts on ways of improving the institution to the Vice Chancellor.

It was, therefore, with a strong dose of embarrassment that the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar visited the old man at his Lagos residence on Monday, May 4 to inform him of the advertorial publication in The Guardian of the previous Thursday, April 30, effectively removing him from office as Pro Chancellor.

At 87, it would be expected that a man of his stature and accomplishment in the society would be better treated by the thankfully out going Jonathan administration.

Major General R. A. Adebayo CFR, IDC, PSC and Chairman of the Yoruba Council Of Elders has chosen to adopt the age old Yoruba concept of nobility known as “Omoluabi” and forgiven Mr. President for the unprovoked assault on his hard earned dignity. Even the General’s children, among whom is the former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, have also chosen the path of honour and decided not to make an issue of the unwholesome incident.

We must commend the Noble Adebayo Family of Iyin-Ekiti for their display of civility in the face of such brazen impudence. We must also implore the Yoruba Nation to adopt the Adebayo family’s stance and refrain from reacting to this unprovoked assault on their collective sensibilities. After all, May 29, is around the corner and we can finally say good riddance to bad rubbish.

Mr Doyle is a Media Consultant.