Ex-Governor, eminent Nigerians celebrate Dr. Samuel Oke Ogunniyi at 60, unveil Festschrift

By Sunday Adepoju

It was a gathering of intellectuals, dignitaries, and friends of knowledge as eminent Nigerians, including former Military Governor of Oyo and Ogun States, Major-General Oladayo Popoola (rtd), on Thursday, converged on the temporary site of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede to celebrate the 60th birthday of the institution’s pioneer Polytechnic Librarian, Dr. Samuel Oke Ogunniyi.

It is recalled that Dr. Ogunniyi clocked 60 years of age on August 1, 2025 but the main ceremony of the unveiling and launch of the Festrichft was delayed to yesterday October 23, 2025.

The colourful event, which, indeed, featured the public unveiling and launch of the Festschrift in his honour, took place at the TETFund 250-Seater Auditorium of the Polytechnic.

It drew the crème de la crème from the academic, professional, business, political, religious and administrative circles who came to pay glowing honour to a man many described as a beacon of scholarship, humility, and service.

A former lawmaker representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Amzat Ayoade Adeseun represented by Mr. Isaac Obaremi; the CEO of Ejide Enterprises Ltd, Alhaji Lamidi Monsuru Ayoade Ejide; the CEO of Irorun Agbe Farm Booster Enterprises, Prince Tunde Aremu (popularly called Irorun Agbe); President of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Lawal Umar, represented by a former Oyo State chaper Chairman, Mr. Adekoya Osunkoya were part of the dignitaries that graced the occasion.

In his remark as the Chairman of the event, the Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Prof. Rasaq Olatunde ROM Kalilu, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics and Innovation, Prof. Dauda Olurotimi Araromi, commended Dr. Ogunniyi for his outstanding contributions to the development of library and information services in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Prof. Kalilu noted that the celebrant’s passion for knowledge management and academic excellence had inspired generations of librarians and scholars.

“Dr. Ogunniyi is not only a consummate professional but also a mentor whose commitment to institutional growth is exemplary. His legacy at Federal Polytechnic Ayede, will continue to shape its academic vision,” the Vice Chancellor remarked.

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, represented by the Deputy Rector (Academic), Mr. Azeez Olasunkanmi Ojo, described Dr. Ogunniyi as a pioneer with vision, recalling his instrumental role in setting up the institution’s library system and laying the foundation for its research culture.

Dr. Abdul-Hameed showered encomia on the celebrant in different areas, including his unflinching support during resource inspection and accreditation exercises, supeb library organisation, and the overall support for the progress of the system.

While reviewing the Festchrift titled “Knowledge Organisation and Management in Libraries and Information Centres in the Digital Age”, LAUTECH University Librarian, Prof. (Mrs.) Adefunke Sarah Ebijuwa, highlighted its structure as knowledge organisation, knowledge management, library and information services in the digital age, and related library and information messages.

Prof. Ebijuwa, having dwelled on the review, also presented an inspiring tribute to Dr. Ogunniyi.

Ebijuwa said, “A man of deep knowledge, quiet strength and exemplary integrity, his career embodies the ideals of the reflective practitioner, one who unites learning, leadership and humanity. Through his mentorship and scholarship, he has nurtured generations of librarians who carry forward his values of excellence, precisionand ethical service.

“Dr. Ogunniyi is a bridge between the classical tradition of cataloguing and the emergent culture of digital curation, a proof that while technology transforms tools, human intellect remain timeless.”

NLA President, who congratulated the celebrant on the milestone, described him as a through-bred librarian and scholar.

In his exhortation, the State Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Oyo-South State, Pastor J. B. Adeniran, charged the gathering to be humble and willing to help others.

“Dr. Samuel Oke Ogunniyi is very determined, quiet, humble and willing to help others. As evident here, he also lives a life of immeasurable contributions to librarianship and scholarship,” Pastor Adeniran.

Several colleagues, former students, and associates took turns to celebrate the man they fondly called “the scholar of order and excellence.”

In his response, Dr. Ogunniyi expressed profound gratitude to God, his family, and colleagues for the honour.

He expressed gratitude to Prof. Kalilu, Engr. Dr. Abdul-Hamed, Prof. Ebijuwa, Pastor Adeniran, Dr. Umar, his wife, relativess, colleagues, clergymen, among others.

He described the celebration as “a humbling experience” and urged younger professionals to remain steadfast in integrity and excellence.

“My life has been defined by learning and service. Whatever position we occupy, we must use it to improve lives and institutions around us.”

The event was also climaxed with musical performances, tributes, as guests rejoiced with the man who has devoted over three decades to advancing knowledge and nurturing institutions.

Ogunniyi also thanked people from LAUTECH; Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo; Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo; Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State; University of Ibadan; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko among others.

“Let me also thank our Deputy Rector (Academic), Mr. Azeez Olasunkanmi Ojo; Registrar, Mr. Akin Odesola; Bursar, Alhaja Rashidat Titilola Oladepo.

“I want to sincerely thank all the Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments and Units, staff and studentts of Federal Polytechnic Ayede.

Dr. Samuel Oke Ogunniyi’s 60th birthday celebration was not just a party; it was a celebration of ideas, legacy, and humanity.A

Dr. Samuel Oke Ogunniyi, an accomplished scholar, administrator, and professional librarian of repute, was born on 1st August, 1965 in Ute, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State. A proud son of Ondo North Senatorial District, Dr. Ogunniyi has over four decades of dedicated service to education, culture, and knowledge management in Nigeria.

He began his remarkable career in the public service with the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in 1984, where his brilliance, commitment, and love for information organization distinguished him early. His intellectual curiosity and passion for library development led him to the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Library and Information Studies, crowned in 2015 with a thesis that won the Prof. M. I. Ajibero Award for the Best Ph.D. Thesis in Nigerian Library Schools (2015/2016). He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Dr. Ogunniyi’s professional excellence earned him international recognition when he received the Gustav Hofmann Study Grant in the Netherlands (1993). His consistent dedication was further acknowledged when he was named Best Documentation Staff of the NCAC in 1991 and 1992.

Since joining the Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo (then Adeyemi College of Education) in 2007, Dr. Ogunniyi has risen steadily through the ranks from Librarian I to Chief Librarian, where he has demonstrated visionary leadership in cataloguing, knowledge organization, and digital resource management. His contributions to academic librarianship have been pivotal in enhancing learning, research, and service delivery.

A registered member of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Dr. Ogunniyi has continually upheld the ethics and standards of his profession.

Today, as the Pioneer Polytechnic Librarian of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Dr. Ogunniyi stands as a symbol of diligence, innovation and integrity. His leadership has set the foundation for a dynamic, technology-driven, and user-oriented library system that will serve generations of scholars to come.

Dr. Samuel Oke Ogunniyi has an extensive and distinguished record of academic and professional scholarship in the field of Library and Information Science. His research interests and publications span key areas such as cataloguing and classification, library resource management, information organisation, user education, and the application of information and communication technologies in libraries.

Dr. Ogunniyi has authored and co-authored several books, articles, and monographs that serve as key reference materials for students and professionals and researchers in library and information science. He has also edited and contributed chapters to numerous academic books and festschrifts, reflecting his active engagement in collaborative scholarship and mentorship within the profession.

His scholarly output includes a rich collection of peer-reviewed journal articles published both nationally and internationally, addressing contemporary issues such as information management, reading culture, ICT adoption in libraries, and service delivery improvement.

Dr. Ogunniyi’s publications demonstrate depth, consistency, and impact, significantly enriching the knowledge base and pedagogical practice of library and information science in Nigeria and beyond.

A devoted family man, Dr. Ogunniyi is married to Mrs. Esther O. Ogunniyi, and their union is blessed with four accomplished children.

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