The launching of a book titled Education for Millennium Development at the University of Ibadan recently provided an opportunity for members of the university community to eulogise Professor Michael Omolewa. Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The Dean, Faculty of Education, Professor Morayo Atinmo congratulated the authors for writing the book in honour of Professor Michael Omolewa.

According to her, "there is no doubt that Professor Omolewa richly deserves this honour. He has been a worthy ambassador who has carved a niche for Nigeria on the global map of education and culture."

She added that "Professor Omolewa has done us proud as an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, the first and the best university in Nigeria."

Professor Atinmo also commended Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State for personally attending the book launch, as Chief Launcher and Special Guest of Honour. The Governor also deserves praises for writing a chapter in the second volume of the book. In the chapter, the Governor explained his administration's efforts at improving Quranic education and the education of the girl child, the dean said.

Book reviewer, Professor Festus Adesanoye disclosed that the book has 74 chapters and was written by 96 authors. According to Adesanoye since the two volumes of the book have the same prologue and preface, it would have been better if it was produced in one volume.

Professor Adesanoye also observed that the full title page of the book is "very, very crowded," because it contains names of other editorial advisors.

He added that there is a need for a reprint of the book in the future to correct a few editorial errors.

The book reviewer called on the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adigun Agbaje to appeal to the university's Appointment and Promotion Committee to give more points to chapters in books to encourage more academics to write books.

He observed at present only one point is given to an author who published a chapter in a book whereas journal article of the same quality and length would attract two or more points.

Professor Adesanoye however agreed with other speakers at the occasion that Professor Omolewa deserves all the encomiums he got.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Adigun Agbaje represented the Vice-Chancellor at the occasion. Professor Agbaje said the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Bamiro was unable to attend the book launch because he had urgent assignment at the office of the National Universities Commission in Abuja.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor thanked Governor Shekarau for coming all the way from Kano. He also thanked the book reviewer and other dignitaries that graced the occasion.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor said the authors have shown commitment to academic excellence and added his voice to those who commended Professor Omolewa.

The Chief Launcher, Governor Shekarau launched the book with N2 million.

Kano Descendants Union bought two copies with N10,000. There were other launchers who made various donations.

The Kano State Governor told the gathering his experience as a teacher. He called for better funding of education and disclosed that Kano State under his leadership has outlined various development plans for the people of the state. Professor Omolewa responded by thanking God for the miracles in his life.

He said the appearance of various dignitaries at the book launch especial the Kano State Governor was a miracle.

He also thanked Dr. Rasheed Aderinoye his former student now a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education for editing the book. Professor Omolewa thanked the Dean of Education, Professor Atinmo, other eminent Nigerians and staff and students of the university who graced the occasion. Professor Omolewa (67) finished secondary school at Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti. He took his first degree from the University of Ibadan.

For his postgraduate and other specialised programmes he was at the Faculty of Education, King's College University of London, the University of British, British Columbia Vancouver, Canada, the UNESCO Institute of Education, Hambury West Germany, the International Literacy Institute (ILI) University of Pennsylvania, the University of Nottingham, United Kingom and the Advanced Leadership Course at the Haggai Institute Singare. Professor Omolewa is multilingual as he speaks fluently main European languages like English, French, German and Spanish.

He started his academic career at the University of Ibadan as an Assistant Lecturer.

He became Professor in 1982 and was appointed Nigeria's Permanent Representative to UNESCO by former Professor Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.