PROFILE OF PROFESSOR (SENATOR) AFOLABI OLABIMTAN

PROFILE OF PROFESSOR (SENATOR) AFOLABI OLABIMTAN

PROFESSOR (SENATOR) AFOLABI OLABIMTAN

Early Life;

Professor Afolabi Olabimtan (B.A. (London), M.A., Ph.D., (Lagos) was born on June 11, 1932 at Ilaro, in Yewa (Egbado) South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Educational Life;

Afolabi Olabimtan had his primary education at Christ Church School Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria between 1939 and 1947. He thereafter, went to Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos from 1948 to 1953 and to University College, Ibadan between 1958 and 1961. He was at Trinity College University of Dublin from 1962 to 1963 and University of Lagos, Lagos between 1969 and 1974.

Olabimtan achieved a PhD at the University of Lagos in African Languages. He became an expert in the Yoruba language, and wrote a number of novels in the tongue, such as Kekere Ekun in 1967 and Ayanmo in 1973.

Civil Service Career;

Olabimtan had a stint at Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos as Clerical Officer between 1954 and 1958. He was a Graduate Teacher at Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos from 1961 to 1969 and University Teacher at University of Lagos, Lagos between 1961 and 1969 from where he took appointment as Chairman, Egbado Divisional Schools’ Board Ilaro from 1975 to 1976.

Public Service Appointments;

Afolabi Olabimtan became Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government & Information between 1976 and 1978 from where assume office as the Chairman, Government Council, Ogun State College of Education from 1981 to 1983. He was also Dean, Faculty of Arts, Ogun State University Ago-Iwoye from 1983 to 1984.  Olabimtan was the Chairman, Ogun State Council for Arts & Culture from 1987 to 1988 and Director, Correspondence & Open Studies Institute, University of Lagos, Lagos between 1984 and 1989.

Afolabi voluntarily retired from Public Service in 1989 after 35 years of meritorious service to his father land.

Contributions to Academic through Publications;

Prof. Olabimtan made many publications that include, Books; Oluwa L’o M’ejo Da by Olabimtan A. (1966), a play – Macmillan Nigeria Publishers, Lagos; Kekere Ekun by Olabimtan A. (1967), a novel – Macmillan Nigeria Publishers, Lagos; Aadota Arofo by Olabimtan A. (1969), an Anthology of his poem – Macmillan Nigeria Publishers, Lagos; Olaore Afotejoye by Olabimtan A. (1970), a play – Macmillan Nigeria Publishers, Lagos; Ayanmo by Olabimtan A. (1973), a novel – Macmillan Nigeria Publishers, Lagos; Ewi Orisirisi by Olabimtan A. (1974), an Anthology of his poems – Longman, Nigeria and “Iwure Niibi Iyo Ara” by Olabimtan A. (1975): a chapter in Olajubu, O. (ed.).

Book Publications includes;

Others are about Iwe Asa Ibile Yoruba, published by Longman, Nigeria; Baba Rere – Olabimtan A. (1977), a novel – Macmillan Nigeria Publishers, Lagos; Ogbon Itopinpin Ewi Yoruba – Olabimtan A. (1980), a guide to Yoruba poetic Analysis – Macmillan Nigeria Publishers, Lagos; B’o Ti Gba – Olabimtan A. (1980), a play – Evans Brothers, Ibadan; Asa Yoruba – Olabimtan A. (ed.), 1984 – Macmillan Publishers, Ibadan; Ijinle Ede ati Litireso Yoruba – Olabimtan A. et. al. (1985), a Yoruba Course Book for Junior Secondary School Students – Evans Brothers (Nig.) Publishers Ltd.; Orilawe – (Novel) Ogbon N Itopinpin – Olabimtan A., Ijinle Ede Litireso Yoruba – Olabimtan, A. et. Al (1989), a Yoruba Course Book for Senior Secondary School Students – Evans Brothers (Nig.) Publishers Ltd., Ibadan; Akojopo Ewi Abalaye ati Ewi Apileko – Olabimtan A. (Ed.),1988 – Paper-back Publishers, Ibadan and Ore Meji – Olabimtan A. (1991), a novel – Longman, Nigeria.

Contributions to Academic through Articles;

His articles in learned journals are Ogede N Baje A Ni O N Pon’ – (1960) – Olokun: Ibadan, Pgs. 17-18; ‘Nje Arofo Yoruba Ni Eto? – (1961) – Olokun: Ibadan, Pgs. 22-23; ‘Ewo Niki A Gba Ninu Asa Alasa – (1967) – Olokun: Ibadan, Pgs. 5-7; ‘The Problems Of Teaching Yoruba In Lagos Schools & Colleges The Nigerian School Master – (1972) – Journal of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Lagos Pgs. 10-15; ‘Gelede’ – (1972) – Olokun, Ibadan, Pgs. 10, 37-41; ‘Religion as a Theme in Fagunwa’s Novels, Odu A Journal of West African Studies – (1974) – University of Ife, No. II, 101-144; Symbolism in Yoruba Traditional Incantatory Poetry’ (1974) Lagos Notes & Records, Journal of African Studies, University of Lagos, Vol. V, 36-44 and ‘Spiritual Hierarchy in Yoruba Traditional Religion (1974) – Journals of Religious Thought Howard, Vol. XXXI, No.1, 44-58.

Academic Articles Continues;

Others are ‘A review of Bascom’s Ifa Divination’ (1975) – Black Orpheus, Vol.3,1-2, 99-100; ‘Problems of Explication of Publishers Oral Poemst’ (1975) – The Examples of Ese Ifa in Yoruba Oral Literature’ Oduma, Vol.2, No.2, 37-43; Rhythm in Yoruba Poetry: The Example of Orin – Arungbe’, (1977) – Research in African Literatures: Texas, Vol.8, No.2, 201 – 218; Teaching Nigerian languages in Schools, Problem & Prospects within the context of the National Policy in Education (1977); Proceedings of the Seminar on the Implementation of t he National Policy on Education. Ayetoro 1977, 195 -215; Language & Style in Obasa’s Poetry’ Yoruba Oral Traditions (1979) – University of Ife, Ife Pgs.1031-1069; African ‘Juju’: Myth or Reality’ (1979) Gbongan, Ibadan, No 8, 4 – 10 and ‘Yoruba Poetic Structure: The Example of Orin-Arungbe Poems’ Yoruba Studies Today (1988) – Essays in Honour of Saburi Biobaku.

Academic Articles Includes;

Afolabi wrote many articles such like Form & Meaning in Yoruba Riddles’ (1982) – Kisbara, Journal of the Humanities, University of Port-Harcourt; A. ‘Political Thought in Fagunwa’s Novels’ – Forthcoming in Fagunwa Memorial Essays, – Educational Book (Nig.) Ltd.; ‘Problems & Prospects of Traditional Rulers in the New Local Government System with Particular Reference to Ogun State of Nigeria’ (1979) – Proceedings of the National Conference on Local Government Reforms, A. B.U., Zaria. ‘Efe Poets as Moudlers of Opinion’ (1980) – Proceedings of the Seminar on Traditional Oral Poetry in some Nigerian Communities, Zaria, January and The Efe / Gelede poets of Egbado Ketu’ ‘Oral Poetry in Nigerian, Lagos (1981).

Contributions to Academic through Researches;

Prof. Afolabi Olabimtan, researches completed includes; An investigation of the problems of teaching Yoruba in Lagos Schools and Colleges, A literary study of Ofo and Ayajo: Two categories of Yoruba Traditional Incantatory Poetry, A critical Study of Yoruba written poetry 1848 – 1948, A literary study of Efe Poetry of Egbado Yoruba and A critical study of the impact of the role of traditional title holders in Local Government Administration (1952 – 1976) on Yoruba Traditions.

Member of Examination Boards and Editor;

Olabimtan  extra-curricular activities include former member of the Nigerian Languages Working Party, former member of the International Panel for HSC/GCE A/L in West African Languages, former WAEC Chief Examiner in A/L Yoruba (1974 – 1976), External Examiner for Higher Degrees, University of Ibadan, Ibadan (1976 & 1978, 1979, 1980/1981, 1981/1982. 1984), External Examiner for the University of Ife, (1979, 1980, 1981, and 1984), External Examiner for the Lagos State University, (1988, 1989), Editor, Fagunwa Memorial Essays and Editor, Langbasa, the Yoruba Journal of the Department of African Languages & Literatures.

Member of Committees;

Other are Member of the University Tenders Board (1970 – 1972), Member of the University Ceremonies Sub-Committee (1971/1972), Patron of the Nigeria Folk Dancing Club , Chairman, Ogun State Local Government Reforms Committees (1979), Chairman, University House Allocation Committee, (1980-1982), Member, Academic Planning Committee of the University, Chairman, Management Board, Centre for Cultural Studies University of Lagos, Lagos, Chairman, Students Welfare Board, University of Lagos, (1984-1985) and Member, Advisory Committee on Funding of Education in Ogun State (1985).

Member of Learned Socities;

Membership of and post held in learned societies include Assistant Secretary, Egbe Ijinle Yoruba, Lagos, Member of the Society for the Scientific study of religion, Member of the Association of African Writers and former Vice President of the Yoruba Studies Association of Nigeria, 1981 to 1982. Others are Fellow of the West African Aggrey Society, Executive Member of the Association of Writers in Yoruba, Member of the West African Linguistic Society, Member of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria and Member of the Nigerian Folklore Society.

National and International Awards;

National and International recognition he bagged included Who’s Who In The World 5th Edition 1980 to 1981, Who’s Who In The Commonwealth in 1982, International Register Of Profiles – 6th Edition. 1982, the International Who’s Who Of Intellectuals, Vol. 5, 1983, the International Who’s Who Of Intellectuals, Vol. 6, 1985 and Newswatch Who’s Who In Nigeria, 1990.

Political Career;

Professor Afolabi Olabimtan was a member of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and member of Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was a Governorship aspirant in Ogun State. In 1999, Olabimatan was elected Senator, Federal Republic of Nigeria for Ogun West Senatorial District under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and served one term which ends in 2003.

And Afolabi Olabimtan Died;

Professor (Senator) Afolabi Olabimtan a Nigerian Politician, Writer, and Academician died in a motor accident on August 27, 2003.

Compiled by FAYOMI Solomon Adebayo – Madoga.