As we approach the second anniversary of Professor Mabogunje’s passing, I am filled with a mix of emotions – sadness, nostalgia, and pride. I miss him greatly, but I take comfort in knowing he lived a full life, leaving an indelible mark on the world. The surge of creativity and intellectual fecundity that has unfolded in the last two weeks is a testament to his enduring legacy. I attribute this creative burst to the inspiration he instilled in us, his disciples, and the seeds of knowledge he sowed during his remarkable life. I am proud to have been part of his academic family and to have contributed, in some small measure, to the continuation of his work. As we celebrate his life and legacy, I know Professor Mabogunje would be proud of the progress we’ve made. His memory continues to inspire and motivate me, and I hope to honor him by keeping his intellectual spirit alive.
There is profound expression of respect, loyalty and appreciation of the great man in this writeup. This, in itself, connotes the quality of mind, interact and compassion possessed by the writer. We live in a world in which human value is cheap and demeaned by the meanness of people, no matter the contribution of the deceased to the lives of others. Let me simply say that your consistency and resilience in pouring out your love to your teacher, friend and mentor represents your own worth and essence. May your mentees your you gratitude, affection and compassion the kind that elevated our humanity and humaneness. May the great man, patriot, unsurpassed intellectual, Emeritus Professor, Akin Mabogunje, with whom I share, along with 80 other Nigerians, Nigeria’s highest Award, the zNigerian National Order of Me write (NNOM) live immortalized by his inimitable contribution to knowledge and humanity
Prof. Isaac Megbolugbe (Bros Isaac to me) comes across as a man of
‘grattitude’ ( a combination of great attitude and gratitude) by his total and unapologetic devotion to his mentor, Emeritus Prof. Akin Mabogunje. This he proudly demonstrate at every opportunity. This piece posted on the GiVA Ministries platform is only one example.
Of course, to be mentored by Baba Prof, a globally acknowledged giant in his field, professor of professors, archetypal leader, and a very good man too, this is an honor immeasurable for which Bros is eternally grateful to God and to the man.
Megbolugbe drank from the Mabogunje fountain of knowledge – an intellectual powerhouse of workable ideas in the fields of Geography and Urban Planning. Besides, he absorbed some of the man’s values especially, the social relevance of the intellectual by which I mean the application of academic theory to solve real (urban) problems of society.
Bros also seems to have imbibed from Baba a measure of spiritual enlightenment that continues to sustain him through life’s vicissitudes.
It is no wonder that Megbolugbe is not only a proud mentee but an incorruptible disciple of the great man ‘ALM’.
“Living in a state of gratitude is the gateway to grace” writes Arianna Huffington.
To his mentor, Bros Isaac demonstrates such great attitude of gratitude that keeps open to himself – and to others – a gateway to Mabogunje’ s ” measure of grace”. That is indeed ‘grattitude’.
I am glad and grateful to contribute professionally to the efforts of an eternally appreciative mentee to keep alive the memory of his benefactor.
– Francis Onaiyekan, Lagos, Nigeria