By Dayo Adesulu

TWO eminent Nigerians were recognized and honored at the 6th Convocation of the Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, with the conferment of honorary degree awards.

While business mogul, Alhaji (Dr.) Sakariyau Babalola (OON), bagged Doctor of Science honoris causa award, legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Malam Ali Yusuf Olaolu, bagged Doctor of Letters honoris causa degree award.

Meanwhile, 153 graduates were turned out by the faith based Islamic varsity with 17 of them coming out with first class, 78 in second class upper division, 84 in second class lower division and 19 with third class category.

Meaningful contributions

The awardees were said to have made meaningful contributions to nation building in various capacities and pillars of support to the varsity following the donation of the Senate building by Babalola and of a 20 room block of hostel by Ali.

Alhaji Babalola has distinguished himself significantly in the business spheres. His company Tele mobile Nigeria Ltd., was the first indigenous telecommunication company to deploy satellite communication in Nigeria for which he was honored by the Federal Government.

He is presently the deputy president-general, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and President, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, Sarakin Adinni of Lagos Central Mosque, amongst others.

He had earlier been honored with the award of D.Sc honoris causa in telecommunications of the University of Calabar. In his earlier years, legal luminary, Yusuf Olaolu Ali won the prestigious Federal Merit Award for undergraduates while at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).

Ali has been in active legal practice for over three decades. He is the principal partner and founder of the law firm, Yusuf O. Ali & Co, Ghalib Chambers with headquarters at Ilorin and offices in Lagos and Abuja.

He was conferred with the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1997 and has held many distinguished positions including Chairman, Kwara State Law Reform Committee, Chairman, International Bar Association Committee on Damages and Negligence, sole judge of the Kwara State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal in 1996, among others.

He serves on the Boards of many companies and institutions, and is patron and legal adviser to many professional and cultural groups.

The well attended ceremony held in the varsity auditorium had in attendance dignitaries such as the Governor of State of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, members of the University Board of trustees, members of the University Council led by the Pro-chancellor and Chairman, Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, OFR, FNAL, traditional rulers among others.