“Ibadan taught me to turn everything into opportunity,” says VP Shettima

While at the wedding ceremony of his teacher (Prof. Folusho Okunmadewa), Vice President Kashim Shettima lauded the ancient city of Ibadan and its people as he reminisced about his student days at the prestigious University of Ibadan.

He said, “As I look around this room, I’m not only reminded of a city that has woven its culture, values and aspirations deep into my being, but also of how fate has played a part in expanding relationships and families,” Shettima said.

“Ibadan is a home to me, a home that formed me and taught me to turn everything that comes my way into an opportunity,” Shettima noted.

The wedding occasion held at the International Conference Centre of University of Ibadan was graced by many dignitaries from different regions of Nigeria.

Among the attendees were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Lawal; the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum; the former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, Country Representative of the World Bank in Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri; and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale.

Speaking at the event, the Vice President shared in the feelings of Prof. Okunmadewa, whom he described as his ‘beloved teacher’, as he married off his daughter, Ibukun Okunmadewa, to live in a strange family.

He said, “Giving away one’s daughter in marriage is one of the most profound bittersweet experiences in human existence.

“It is a reminder that life is a journey of luck, a journey of hope and a journey of change. But I have no doubt that you have instilled in Ibukun the moral discipline that she needs to carry on from this day, away from her first family. And I pray that her new life brings forth endless joy.”

The vice president further added, “This would not have been easy without the patience of my beloved teacher, Prof. Folusho Okunmadewa, whose daughter, Ibukun and her groom, Obafemi, we are here to celebrate as they embark on a beautiful journey of discovering the essence of life.”

He concluded by extolling his teacher, portraying his personality as “a beacon of wisdom and guidance for vast generation of scholars,”

“I’m privileged to not only draw from this intellectual oasis of the University of Ibadan, but also to identify as a member of the family and as a qualified son of the soil,” the VP concluded.

Vice President Shettima also attended the wedding reception of Suliat Alli and Abdulqudus Okeowo at the University of Ibadan before returning to Abuja.