Cornelius Taiwo

Cornelius Olaleye Taiwo
Born (1910-10-27)27 October 1910
Oru-Ijebu Ogun State, Nigeria
Died 8 April 2014(2014-04-08) (aged 103)
Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Nationality Nigerian
Alma mater University of Cambridge
University of London
Occupation Educator, lawyer, author
Religion Christianity

Cornelius Olaleye Taiwo (27 October 1910 – 8 April 2014) was a Nigerian educator and lawyer.

Early life and education

Taiwo was born on 27 October 1910, at Oru-Ijebu in Ogun State, Nigeria, to Isaac and Lydia Taiwo.[1] He started school shortly after World War I and attended St. Luke's School, a CMS school of St. Luke's Church. Oru, Ijebu in 1921. He proceeded to St Andrews College, Oyo, and later attended Yaba Higher College, Lagos. He attended the University of London and earned a D. Litt degree in 1982. He also earned an M.A Degree in Mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge University, a Barrister-at-Law degree of the Middle Temple Inn's Court and Hon. LL.D. (Cape Coast).

Academic career

Taiwo commenced his teaching career as the headmaster of Sagun United School, Oru-Ijebu, a government-assisted institution in 1932.[2] He was the first African Principal of Edo College, Benin City and became Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources in the former Regional government of Western Nigeria;[3] He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple (Inn of Court), London on 4 February 1964, and enrolled as Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 3 July 1964.

Taiwo worked with the Western Nigerian Government between 1960 and 1966 when he served variously as Administrative Officer, Inspector of Education and ultimately as Permanent Secretary, to the University of Lagos where he spent 11 years, private legal practice and authorship of books. He became the first Emeritus Professor of Education and Provost of the University of Lagos. He was also appointed as Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ilorin on 1 September 1990 and became a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.[4][5] He taught in many other universities including University of Lagos before retiring from active service.[6]

Personal life

Taiwo was a prince who hailed from the Olumota ruling house of the Oba Oloru of Oru, Ijebu. He married Susan Olufowoke Keleko on 25 December 1941, at St. James Church, Ibadan. They had six children. He died at the age of 103 in 2014.[7]

Honours

Seleced publications

He wrote several books, papers and articles. Noted ones include:

References

  1. ↑ Deji-Folutile, Olabisi; Babalola, Ademola (27 October 2010). "100 years today...Prof. C. O. Taiwo tells his story". hoofbeat.
  2. ↑ "'Simeon Adebo Gave Me Opportunities To Excel'". Lagos: The Guardian. 22 March 2003.,
  3. ↑ "Supplement to the London Gazette" (pdf).
  4. ↑ Odewale, Seyi; Akinrinade, Kunle (30 October 2010). "Secrets of my long life, agility". The Nation. Nigeria. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  5. ↑ Ogbuji, Chima (27 October 2009). "Nigeria: Accolade, Introspection As Nigeria's Oldest Professor, C.O. Taiwo Clocks 99". Allafrica. Nigeria: Daily Champion.
  6. ↑ "Professor Emeritus C. O. Taiwo clocks 100". 6 November 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Taiwo, first UNILAG COE provost, dies at 103". Nigerian Pilot. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
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