By Abubakar Imam
On Tuesday (September 24, 2024), the Executive Governor of Kwara State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, scored another intimidating first. He did by positively changing the course of history of the State and most especially that of the Ilorin Emirate, with his approval of the appointment of a distinguished Professor of Mathematics Education, Medinat Folorunso Salman, as the pioneer Chief Executive Officer and Acting Vice Chancellor of the newly established Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED), Ilorin,
The appointment of Prof. Salman is very significant as it is historic. It is significant as it again affirms the consistent belief of Governor AbdulRazaq, who is also the Sarduana of Ilorin, in the ability of women to always excel in whatever assignment they are given. It is also historic because it is the first time a woman would head a public university in Kwara State. It is also the first time that an indigene of Ilorin would be made the first Vice Chancellor of a University located in the “sacred city” otherwise known as the “sanctuary of saints, scholars and soldiers”.
What everyone should, however, know is that the appointment of Prof. Salman as Vice Chancellor of KWASUED is based on her verifiable track record of capacity, competence and integrity. It is evidently not premised on any primordial factor.
Those whose paths have crossed that of this elegant academic amazon in one way or the other would agree with me that she is a rare-bred. Prof. Salman is a confluence of beauty, brain and brawn. She is also an epitome of hard work, humility and generousity.
Having emerged as the first female Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, about a decade ago, coupled with other numerous achievements as a scholar, teacher and administrator, it is an incontrovertible fact that this paragon of academic excellence eminently deserves the position.
Prof. Salman was born on June 30, 1958 in Ilorin and into the family of Alhaji Atiku Bello Pakata (d.1991) and Alhaja Rabiat Ayoka Pakata (d.2009). She is a younger half-sister of a distinguished teacher and seasoned administrator, Alhaji Shuaib Baba Pakata (1938-1995), who was the pioneer Sole Administrator/Chief Executive of the present-day Ilorin West Local Government Area.
The new Vice Chancellor did not jump into the prestigious position. She was vigorously prepared for it through the quality of training and magnitude of exposure she went through right from her childhood.
For her primary education, Prof. Salman attended Pakata and Barakat L G.E.A Schools, Ilorin; as well as St. Joseph Catholic L.G.E.A School, Ayangba, Kogi State; all between 1967 and 1972. She was also trained at the famous St. Claire’s Girls School, Offa, from 1972 to 1976 and the defunct Ilorin Teachers’ College, Ilorin, between 1976 and 1977 where she obtained her Grade II Teachers’ Certificate.
As a brilliant young girl who was thirsty for more knowledge, Prof. Salman was determined not to limit her knowledge. She consequently proceeded to the then Advanced Teachers’ College, Pankshin, Plateau State for her Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in the teaching of Mathematics and Chemistry, which she obtained in 1981. Incidentally, the conversion of this alma mata of hers into a Federal University of Education was effected the very day her appointment as the Vice Chancellor of a sister University was confirmed.
Between 1981 and 1982, Prof. Salman did her mandatory youth service as an NCE holder and as obtainable then. She started the programme in Borno State and got it completed in Kwara State.
The famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was her next port of call. She was a student of the University between 1982 and 1985 from where she graduated with a Second Class (Upper Division) degree in Mathematics Education.
Prof. Salman enrolled for her Master’s degree in Mathematics Education at the University of Ilorin, which she swiftly completed in 1990. She eventually capped her alluring academic credentials with a doctorate degree in the same discipline from the same Better By Far University in 1997. She had the highest academic qualification formally awarded to her on December 12, 1998 at the convocation ceremony where the celebrated first Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Shaykh Mohammad Kamaldeen Al-Adaby (1905-2005) MFR, OFR, ORSA; and the most accomplished Military Administrator of Kwara State, the late Major-General George Agbazikah Innih, were awarded honourary doctorate degrees.
I agreed with all those who had submitted that her latest appointment was meritorious and befitting. This is because throughout her professional life, she has always been a teacher. There is, in fact, no level of education at which this erudite teacher has not meritoriously taught.
Prof. Salman started her career as a classroom teacher at the Pakata L.G.E.A. School, Ilorin, in 1978. She also taught in various secondary schools in Kwara State, particularly at the Army Day Secondary School,Sobi; Government Secondary School, Malete and Government High School, Ilorin; among others. This was while she was in the employ of the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission between 1982 and 1999.
Prior to joining the services of the University of Ilorin in February, 1999 as a Lecturer II, Prof. Salman served as a part-time lecturer at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.
In 2012, the KWASUED’s Vice Chancellor was deservedly promoted to the enviable rank of Professor by the authorities of the University of Ilorin. This was upon the consistent satisfactory discharge of her core duties of teaching, research and community services.
Before and since her elevation to the pinnacle of her career, Prof. Salman held many sensitive positions at the nation’s most sought-after University, which adequately prepared her for her new role in the new University. She was the Head of its Department of Science Education. She also served as the Dean of the Faculty of Education.
Prof. Salman equally served on many important committees. She was equally a member of several Accreditation Panels constituted by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to many universities as she also held leadership positions at the state and national levels of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN) and many other relevant professional bodies.
Remarkably, the new Vice Chancellor was a member of the Committee chaired by the distinguished Talba of Ilorin and phenomenal former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, OFR, NOPM; which birthed the new University. She is, in fact, imbued with the knowledge of the destination and destiny of the new University.
The widespread celebration, which greeted her appointment, from all and sundry is, therefore, a testament to the respect she has garnered over the years. It is, in fact, a glaring reflection of how much her colleagues, stakeholders and the ordinary people across and beyond the “State of Harmony” adore, treasure and appreciate her industry, intellectual wherewithal, professional impact and profound contributions to national development.
Prof. Salman has always given a very good account of herself as a teacher of an otherwise very difficult subject in a terrain where what matters is not whom you are but what you have in terms of material possessions. Her numerous students will always remember her as a teacher who incredibly simplified the teaching and learning of Mathematics with cultural and environmental friendly teaching methodologies.
Prof. Salman, who has benefited from several career enhancing programmes at local, national and international levels, has also authored several articles, which have been published in outstanding intellectual outlets. She has also supervised 19 Ph.D. dissertations, numerous Master theses and uncountable undergraduate long-essays in the last 25 years of her eventful services as a University teacher.
Apart from her impact on the inculcation of love for the core subject of Mathematics, which many students “love to hate”, Prof. Salman has also inspired many members of her gender and younger generations to embrace learning and hard work. She is a force to be reckoned with in the continuous drive and advocacy for increased quantitative and qualitative female education in Kwara State and beyond.
One other very significant attribute of this inspiring role-model and multiple award-winnng academic celebrity is her consistent humble dispositions to all, regardless of age or class. Prof. Salman is also a remarkable and thorough leader who is blessed with a meticulous personality. She is equally an outstanding Ambassador of the much-cherished African culture and traditions, which encourages giving everyone his or her due. Her courteous dispositions are habitual as she is not given to treating any of those who relate or work with her with disdain or contempt.
Despite her remarkable success as an industrious academic, virile administrator and respected public figure, the new Vice Chancellor is happily married. Her husband is Senator Isiaka Adebayo Salman, a distinguished medical doctor, renowned politician and seasoned community leader, who represented the Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003. Senator Salman also served as the Chairman of the Management Board of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, during the administrations of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,GCFR; and Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. The marriage of the new Vice Chancellor to Senator Salman is blessed with three adorable children who are doing very well.
I wish this renowned scholar and amiable administrator a very peaceful, remarkable and successful tenure as KWASUED’s pioneer Vice Chancellor/Chief Executive.
Imam is National Secretary, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union.
