By Daniel Kanu
Assistant Politics Editor
Entrepreneur Oyekunle Alex-Duduyemi, the Aro-Asiwaju of Ife, will be conferred with a Doctor of Business Management (DBM) Honoris Causa by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) at its 41st convocation on Saturday, December 12.
A letter written to him by OAU Vice Chancellor, Professor Bamitale Omole, applauded Duduyemi, who was awarded Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his contribution to the economy.
OAU governing council and the senate approved the honorary degree for his “outstanding achievements in the world of business, contributions to public, national and international spheres as well as your sustained philanthropic gestures and positive interest in the progress and development of the university,” Omole said.
By the rules of OAU, the honorary degree cannot be awarded in absentia and TheNiche learnt that Duduyemi, a lawyer, has stated his acceptance in writing.
Through his philanthropy, Duduyemi, who clocked 80 in August, has helped many to find hope for daily living.
His story is one of resilience, commitment, doggedness, and of grass to grace.
He had a stint in the politics of the First Republic where he was a cerebral politician, eloquent in his views.
Duduyemi represented Ife Central Federal Constituency in Parliament and was Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
He was a member of the Nigerian delegation to the 20th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 1965.
His love for education inspired him to set up the Henry Alex-Duduyemi Memorial College (HAMEC) in Ile-Ife, his home town, on November 24, 1997 in memory of his late father.
“I believe in the future of Nigeria. And I know that our destiny lies in the hands of these young ones,” he said.
“I have committed the rest of my life to build well rounded Nigerian youths that are not only going to be leaders of different sectors of the Nigerian economy in the near future, but also function effectively as world citizens.
“This is what HAMEC was founded to deliver.
“At HAMEC, the focus is on the creation of the total child.
“By this I mean that we foster an environment where our students attain academic excellence, possess high moral and ethical values, and are conscious of their roles in society, while still protecting the innocence of childhood.”