The death of the renowned Political Scholar, author and researcher, Prof. Remi Anifowose, has once again offered an opportunity to reflect on the role of mentoring in any academic environment in a bid to assist young scholars to be fulfilled in their academic career.
The erudite Professor of Political Science died on July 29 and was buried in Ijeda near Ilesha, Osun state last Saturday, 23rd October. Dignitaries from all walks of life graced the occasion.
He was a studious and committed scholar who devoted his entire academic life to raising strong and committed scholars in the academic discipline of Political Science. He published widely in local and foreign journals.His classic text : “Violence and Politics in Nigeria: Yoruba & Tiv as case studies” remains a reference point whenever discussion about political violence comes up in Nigeria.
In 1986, the ruling elites in my class in the Department of Political Science met and asked me as the class governor how we can finish the long list of topics listed in Comparative Political Behaviour and Contemporary Political Analysis in good time in order that we would have enough time to prepare for “the almighty June exam “.
I asked them go give me time to work things out.The late Professor Anifowose was the lecturer in charge of the two courses.
I met with him and discussed how he can give us extra lectures outside the mandatory three hours on the time – table per week.
He asked for the time and l told him 6-9pm.He asked again : “Are you sure your mates will turn up for the class” and l said yes. His response was ok.
With his acceptance, l was encouraged to extend the same proposal to other lecturers and they all accepted. I usually tell my students publicly that in Political Science and Mass Communication, l was taught by lecturers who were extremely dedicated,devoted, loving and hardworking. I always pray that God should give me the grace to give my students similar encouragement and support.
That year,something happened at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in which some students were killed by the Police while trying to enforce closure of the University.
Universities across the country reacted sharply with students taking to the streets and protested against the murder.
In the process, all the universities across the country were closed for a long time. When we resumed, it was on Sunday and we were asked to commence the sessional exam the following day.
However, the extra lectures we received through Professor Anifowose and other lecturers helped us to scale through the ‘almighty June exam’.
In the media, while editing an evening tabloid, we ran a cover story one day on the coronation of Sultan Maccido of Sokoto State under the banner headline: “Maccido rejected”. It was an exclusive interview with a prominent Islamic cleric in the South West which explained why Moslems in the South shunned his coronation.
Upon the publication, security operatives invaded our office and were desperately looking for me.They have already arrested my news editor and the deputy editor.
I refused to go to the office and ran to Professor Anifowose at Unilag. He asked me probing questions to enable him decide on what to do.
He linked me up with a top Commissioner of Police, CP Enudi,at Alagbon who led 600 policemen to arrest the late Chief MKO Abiola by 12midnight.Professor Anifowose spoke with him on phone and warned me not to go to my office but first report to CP Enudi at Alagbon.
The rest is history but Professor Anifowose’ s intervention prevented me from being detained. The Police eventually left me along with my deputy any news editor off the hook when they discovered that it was an harmless story .
In the academic realm, today, by God’s grace, l am a Political Communication scholar.The seed was planted by Professor Anifowose while teaching us Cybernetics as a sub-topic in Political Behaviour.
He disturbed a lot while l was pursuing my PhD. At times, l would be dudging him and Professor Derin Ologbenla. Both of them always asked “ise e nko? “( How far with your PhD work?). Professor Solomon Akinboye and Professor Ralph A.Akinfeleye played a similar role .
I could vividly recall that Professor Akinboye, my lead supervisor said put other things and concentrate on your PhD .
Professor Akinfeleye on his part said one day, ” don’t come to this office tomorrow unless you have concrete information about the processing of your results by the PG school.
That the PhD was concluded at the time it was concluded was as a result of the push l received from the late Professor Anifowose and other numerous senior colleagues in our faculty.
The scripture says “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints “(Ps 116:15).
Death is appointed. Everyone of will die, but what will people say about you when you are no more?
Anifowose came, he saw and conquered. He was a born teacher who would teach and the students would be clapping. He is gone to be seen no more. May the Lord grant him eternal rest and comfort every member of his loving family in Jesus’ name, Amen.
