At a gracious age of 103, Professor Emeritus Cornelius Olaleye Taiwo, renowned educationist, administrator and lawyer died on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at his Ikeja residence in Lagos.
To many, Pa Taiwo, who was Nigeria’s oldest Professor, lived a well rounded life. As an academic, acquisition of knowledge was his second nature and this was evident in the array of degrees he obtained. His chain of academic qualifications includes: M.A Degree in Mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge University; B.Sc. (Special); M.A; M.Sc; Ph.D; D.Litt, from the University of London. He also obtained a Barrister-at-Law degree of the Middle Temple Inn’s Court; and became a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Pa. Taiwo was born on October 27, 1910, at Oru-Ijebu in Ogun State, Nigeria, to Isaac and Lydia Taiwo. He started school shortly after World War I and attended St. Luke’s School, a CMS school of St. Luke’s Church. Oru, Ijebu in 1921. He proceeded to St Andrews College, Oyo, and later attended Yaba Higher College, Lagos. Pa. Taiwo attended the University of London and earned a D. Litt degree in 1982. He also earned an M.A Degree in Mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge University, a Barrister-at-Law degree of the Middle Temple Inn’s Court and Hon. LL.D. (Cape Coast).
Pa. Taiwo commenced his teaching career as the headmaster of Sagun United School, Oru-Ijebu, a government-assisted institution in 1932. He was the first African Principal of Edo College, Benin City and became Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources in the former Regional government of Western Nigeria; He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple (Inn of Court), London on February 4, 1964, and enrolled as Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on July 3, 1964. Pa.
Taiwo worked with the Western Nigerian Government between 1960 and 1966 when he served variously as Administrative Officer, Inspector of Education and ultimately as Permanent Secretary, to the University of Lagos where he spent 11 years, private legal practice and authorship of books. He became the first Emeritus Professor of Education and Provost of the University of Lagos. He was also appointed as Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ilorin on September 1, 1990 and became a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He taught in many other universities including University of Lagos before retiring from active service.
In 1998, Prof. E.O Obe, in an annual inaugural lecture, made a remark about Pa Taiwo. He had said: “We in the Faculty of Education have a hardworking academic father who is always following our progress. I, in particular, have been closely related to him, inspired by him and have benefited immensely from my association with this illustrious octogenarian. He is our distinguished Emeritus Prof. C.O Taiwo. I have, in fact, adopted him as my model academic father.” Aside, Pa.Taiwo placed premium on academic honours, especially those awarded him in recognition of his industry in education.
And a day he would always remember was when he was awarded D. Litt by the prestigious University of London. He wrote about it in his memoir: “My presentation for the D. Litt degree of the University of London provided an exciting and fulfilling occasion. It was 2:00pm on Wednesday, March 10, 1982, in the Royal Albert Hall, London. A graduate to be presented was allowed one or two guests, who in my case were Otunba (Mrs.) Shonibare and my daughter, Mrs Dupe Ogunlesi. Being guests of a Higher Doctor, they were seated in the front where they had the best view of the ceremony.”
Pa. Taiwo’s surviving children are; Chief Ladi Taiwo, a prominent Lagos lawyer, Dr. Bayo Taiwo, a Consultant Radiologist and Modupe Ogunlesi (the MD of Adam and Eve Store and wife of Mr. Lanre Ogunlesi of Sophisticat). He is also survived by many grandchildren and great grand children.
