The Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje (PALM) foundation has pledged to support young African scholars with scholarships aimed at promoting research in geography, urban planning and sustainable development.

Prof. Mabogunje, one of the foremost geographers in the continent, died at age 91 in 2022.

Speaking at the 2nd Public Lecture and the launch of the PALM foundation, the Chairman of the foundation, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, stated that the foundation was established to keep in existence the legacies of late Mabogunje.

SPONSOR AD

Prof Ogunsola, who is the Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the first child of late Mabogunje, described her late father as patriotic, saying he was committed to the growth of the country through his intellectual contributions in geography and urban planning.

“We celebrate his infinite optimism and belief in Nigeria and Africa and his life of no excuses. He was typical that every problem has a solution.

“The second thing was accountability. He did not believe in complaining. He believed that if there is a problem, you don’t sit there complaining, especially really the Nigerian problem. He was very big on that, each and every one of us could decide to be either part of the problem or part of the solution,” she said.

During the launch of the foundation, she highlighted the names of the foundation’s Technical Advisory Council led by Wole Okunfulure with six other members including President, Association of Nigeria Geographers, Prof. Abubakar Sanni Mashi, charging them with the responsibilities to extend the knowledge to young scholars.

“This foundation will promote research and education, not just in geography, but in urban planning and sustainable development, and support young African scholars and innovators who either share his vision or who we can turn to share that vision of a better, more equitable continent.

“And it will also champion initiatives that strengthen communities, foster knowledge, and advance the ideals of good governance and social responsibility,” she said.

Acknowledging the impact of late Mabogunje on nation building, former President Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed how he overcame the resistance to complete the presidential library, saying that late professor Mabogunje who was part of the Board of Trustee (B.o.T) encouraged him to bring the project to life.

The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, valued at $150 million and covering 32 hectares, was established in 2017.

Obasanjo, who was the special guest of honour at the event, described late Mabogunje as a nation builder.

He recalled how Prof. Mabogunje’s Geography expertise came to bear during the creation of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) in 1976, saying that he was pivotal to the infrastructural development during successive administrations till his death in 2022.

“Akin was a geographer and in that regard, he helped my administration when we were trying to establish a new capital territory, Abuja. His knowledge and his profession was brought to bear and we can’t thank him enough. So, when you call him a nation builder, you are absolutely right and there is no government before and after me that called on Akin which he did not help, even some governments that I personally do not feel encouraged to go and help.

“When I thought a little unfortunately about the presidential library at one location, I went to him (Mabogunje) quietly and I said, look, this library has gone beyond what I expected. He said, then what do I want to do about it? I said, I want to stop it. He said I dare not and that if that library is standing today it was the encouragement, the fear that Akin and my friends who are on the Board of Trustees instilled in me that I dared not. And I did not dare to stop it,” Obasanjo recalled.

He added that Prof. Mabogunje exemplified community spirit and contribution, saying that he served the country meritoriously.

Former Ondo governor, Olusegun Mimiko, recounted his appointment as the Minister for Housing and Urban Development in 2005 during former president Obasanjo’s administration, revealing that the announcement left him with an utter shock.

He stressed that he had no requisite knowledge about the technicality of the ministerial appointment, attributing his survival to the mentorship offered by Prof. Mabogunje.

“When Obasanjo appointed me Minister for Housing and Urban Development in 2005, there was a vacancy in the ministry of health, ordinarily, I was expecting I would be posted to the Ministry of Health.

“On the day after the swearing ceremony, I went to him (Obasanjo). I said, sir, I hardly know the difference between a duplex and a bungalow. What do you want me to do in housing? So, I went to my mentor Ladipo Akinkugbe and said, look, I thought I was going to be Minister for Health.

“He told me not to worry and sent someone to me. The following day, he called me,” he said.

He acknowledged Prof Mabogunje’s contribution during his ministerial role, describing him as the source of knowledge and inspiration to him.

“He taught me that any government policy that does not take account of people’s impact is not worth any policy. I learned so much about it from him,” he said.

The keynote speaker, Prof Isaac Albert, who spoke on the title ‘Akin Mabogunje’s Intellectual Leadership in Multidisciplinary Urban Studies’, recognised him as Africa’s first professor of Geography.

“He was a pioneer in shaping Nigeria’s real estate and urban development sectors,” he said.

He added that Prof. Mabogunje’s intellectual leadership in multidisciplinary urban studies was a testament to the power of integrative thinking and a lifelong commitment to addressing the challenges of urbanisation.