Internationally renowned for his unparalleled contributions to the Nigerian transportation system, Professor Samuel Iyiola Oni, basked in the glory of tributes that flooded in from friends, colleagues and mentees in the academia, private and governmental spheres for his sterling works on Friday, April 19, 2024.
The encomiums poured in for the Professor of Geography in the University of Lagos at a programmeheld at the Tayo Aderinokun Lecture to officially launch his new book titled: Nigeria Transportation System.
Professor Samuel Iyiola Oni, FILT, FNIS, who specialises in Transportation, Logistics and Spatial Planning, was praised by many to have helped in the general outlook on transportation systems in Nigeria.
A Director of the Multi-Modal Transport Centre, UNILAG, Professor Oni has over one hundred (100) academic publications, and over three hundred (300) professional reports. He has successfully supervised fifteen (15) PhD candidates in Transportation and Logistics, 300 MSc. candidates and five hundred (500) B.Sc. candidates in Transportation and Planning.
According to the book reviewer, Professor Charles Asenime, Dean of the School of Transport, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, the book, Nigeria Transportation System, warehouses various thoughts about transportation in Nigeria and happenings in that sector in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Professor Asenime explained, in details, the title and synopsis of each of the fourteen (14) chapters of the book, and also gave constructive criticism on the aspect he felt was missing from the publication.
He submitted that the two hundred and thirty-three (233) page book by Professor Samuel Iyiola Oni is: “a compendium of international standard, well-crafted to deliver lucid/illuminating information, needed for people within and outside the transport discipline who seek practical knowledge about transport in Nigeria. Every chapter is a mountain of information; the more you climb, the more you see. It has set a benchmark for continuous research on our transport system. It can be used by undergraduates and postgraduate students, as well as, policymakers and those who wish to invest in the transport industry in Nigeria.”
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Lucian O. Chukwu, who represented the Vice-Chancellor at the event, affirmed that Professor Oni’s latest work was a timely and insightful book on Nigeria’s transportation system. Elaborating on how transportation is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and society, Professor Chukwu highlighted ways it connects individuals to workplaces, schools, homes, among others, and facilitates the movement of goods and services.
He acknowledged that the book is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to transportation systems as it offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the field, and provides practical solutions for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.
Professor Chukwu asserted that the book would “further provide impetus to begin to interrogate the role of Artificial Intelligence in Transportation Systems, coordination of the modal systems, traffic control, speed control, real time route navigation systems etc., in a developing economy and mega cities such as Lagos- the State of Excellence and Aquatic Splendour.”
Taking the audience on a walk down memory lane, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor gave recognition to the contributions of UNILAG in transportation systems with the pioneering work of Prof Awojobi on Autonov 1 and 2, a vehicle that could move forward and backwards in both directions with all four pre-existing gears; the UNILAG electric vehicle and the ongoing research on the use of Lithium batteries and other technologies in order to achieve a reduction in the cost of electric vehicles.
On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chukwu invited all present to join in congratulating the author, Professor Samuel Iyiola Oni, on his achievement.
Chairman of the occasion and immediate past Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, averred that Professor Iyiola Oni, has been his friend for about fifty-three (53) years. He highlighted some of Professor Oni’s notable impacts on transportation systems in both academic and industry fields.
Eminent personalities present at the book launch, who also made glowing remarks about the person and work of the author include: Lagos State Minister of Transport, Hon. Seun Osiyemi; the Oloni of Eti-Oni, Atakunmosa East Local Government, Osun State, His Royal Majesty Oba Dokun Thompson Gureje IV; National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr Vincent Olatunji; Renowned Communication expert, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye(rtd); former Vice-Chancellor, FUTA, Prof. Peter OlufemiAdeniyi; immediate past Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of Federal Road Safety Corps (Nigeria), Dr.Boboye Olayemi Oyeyemi; Commissioner for Transportation in Ogun State, Hon. Olugbenga Dairo; Professor of Geography (GIS and Remote Sensing), UNILAG, Prof. Ademola S. Omojola; and President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA), Prince Segun Ochuko Obayendo, amongst others.
The recurrent fact in all the tributes was that Professor Samuel Iyiola Oni, is a selfless man highly dedicated to humanity and academics.
Chairman of the occasion, Professor Abel IdowuOlayinka, led the book unveiling and presentation, while the Chief Launcher of the book was Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, former Deputy Governor of OsunState and Chairman, ENL Consortium Ltd. He was ably represented by Bar. Boye Uzamot of ENL Consortium Ltd. and launched the book with a substantial sum of money. Other individuals, organisations and associations also followed suit.
An evidently grateful Professor Oni appreciated all the guests for gracing the ceremony with their esteemed presence and support.
His words: “Without documentation of what happens in our environment, especially the transportation development, we are just planning without empirical evidences. This is what we have tried to correct with the publication of this book.
I want to say that by the special grace of God, we will be able to do something on West Africa next year and the year after, we will do something on Africa. This is necessary because our leaders, Baba Mabogunje, R.A. Udoh etc., did a lot about forty (40) years ago and not much is now being documented as it should be.”
The event ended with photographs and Professor IyiolaOni signing copies of the book for interested buyers.
Author: Nike Ogunshakin
Photographer: Joshua Michael
Article Editor: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
Photo Editor: Nike Ogunshakin
