The Are-Ekiti Development Association (AREDAA) has joined family members, friends, associates and the wider Ekiti community to celebrate the 80th birthday of renowned academic, scholar and social demographer, Professor Israel Olatunji Orubuloye, OON.
In a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the association’s Public Relations Officer, Comrade Seun Ogunlade, described Orubuloye as an accomplished scholar whose contributions to academia, research and community development had made a lasting impact.
Orubuloye, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti, now Ekiti State University, was born on 30 August 1946 into the Olujobi Royal Family of Are-Ekiti, a lineage noted for leadership, integrity and public service.
AREDAA said the professor had consistently demonstrated commitment to the development and wellbeing of Are-Ekiti, noting that his support and contributions to the community had earned widespread recognition.
The association described him as one of the early academics who contributed to the development of the institution and helped advance the vision of the then University of Ado-Ekiti.
According to AREDAA, Orubuloye was among the university’s pioneer academic staff and later became its first “home-grown” professor. He subsequently served as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor between 2004 and 2008.
The association said his academic journey reflected perseverance and determination, particularly given the financial challenges he encountered in his early years.
After his primary education at United School, Are/Afao, and secondary education at Egbeoba High School, Ikole-Ekiti, Orubuloye privately prepared for and passed his Advanced Level GCE examinations in Economics, Geography and Government in 1968.
He gained admission to the University of Ibadan in 1969, where he obtained B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Sociology before proceeding to the Australian National University on a Population Council Fellowship. He earned his Ph.D. in Demography in 1978.
AREDAA also highlighted his professional career, noting that he worked at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan, before joining the university system.
He voluntarily retired from the university system in 2008 after 25 years of distinguished service.
Following his retirement, Orubuloye was invited by Aare Afe Babalola to contribute to the establishment of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).
The association said that, as Chairman of the Planning and Implementation Committee, he played a significant role in the development of the institution and subsequently served on its Board of Trustees and Governing Council, as well as Director of Quality Assurance, before leaving the university in 2022.
Beyond Nigeria, AREDAA said Orubuloye had travelled to more than 30 countries and participated in 48 international conferences, seminars, workshops and study programmes.
His scholarly output, the association added, includes more than 100 publications covering books, journal articles, book chapters and academic papers, while his expertise had been sought by several national and international organisations.
AREDAA further noted his pioneering behavioural research into the context of HIV/AIDS in Africa and his success in securing and managing substantial international research grants.
The association commended his contributions to the development of Are-Ekiti, saying his commitment to the progress of his community had left an enduring legacy.
It said the example set by Orubuloye and his contemporaries in academia underscored the importance of service, responsibility and community development.
“The example set by Professor Orubuloye and co-horts in the academic reinforces the importance of service, responsibility and community development, values-addition which must be preserved and passed on to younger generations,” the statement said.
In recognition of his contributions to national development, the Federal Government conferred on him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on 29 September 2014.
Congratulating the professor on his milestone, AREDAA wished him many more years of good health, fulfilment and continued service to humanity.
“As you look deep into more greater years, we in AREDAA congratulate you on your milestones at 80 and wish more fruitful and fulfilling years ahead,” the statement concluded.
