PanNigerianNews 
By Joseph Onele
During my first year at the University of Ibadan (UI) and while just settling into my four-man room at Tedder Hall, flanked on different sides by the Students’ Union Building (SUB), Admissions Office and Mellanby Hall as well as the famous Love Garden & Trenchard Hall, I had the cause to witness my first university students demonstration led by the distinguished Amuda Mosigbodi-Plato Bamidele (fondly called “PLATO” – a name I strongly believe lends credence to his sagacious and sound philosophical driven lifestyle).
As I do recall and quite notably, PLATO, though not the UI SU Student Leader as of the time (as the UI SU was presumably proscribed for reasons best known to the university administration – as I gathered from seniors back then), would go on to brave the odds, knowing full well the possible risks associated with leading such a peaceful protest/demonstration against the increased fees, which I would also curiously join and would end up listening to PLATO addressing the university community in one of the most civil, intellectually sound and result-driven speech, geared at securing the university’s management to reconsider fees stated.
My impression of Amuda Mosigbodi-Plato Bamidele since that time, and even though I never had the opportunity to tell him how proud I was to witness such baptism of genuine activism, sound natural leadership and cicero like oratory of a philosopher King named after the erudite Plato, was one of utmost respect.
It’s important to give people their flowers while they are still here and also applaud genuine efforts others make for larger good, against all odds.
Amuda Mosigbodi-Plato Bamidele is one of those people who have selflessly fought for the benefits of others.
I mean, he dared to put his academic journey at risk so university education could continue to be affordable and not deprived those particularly from low income homes – whose only hope of access to higher education was an affordable higher education.
No doubt, he deserves his medal, flowers, laurels and much more.
I learnt from Plato that we need to be prepared to step up to the occasion when life demands, speak up in the face of injustice and be the face of hope for others, while letting others continue to believe in the goodness of humanity on our account.
Dear Amuda Mosigbodi-Plato Bamidele,
Thank you very much for leading that peaceful protest and most importantly, for being the voice of the seemingly voiceless as well as for braving the odds to stand up for others when it mattered.
May you and all yours continue to find joy, peace and love even in the midst of life’s uncertainties.
May help never be far away from you and may life’s great tidings be your portion as well as your loved ones, always.
Yours truly, JO.
…Onele is a lawyer.
