The Olu of Imasayi in Ogun State, Oba Luqman Olamilekan Kuoye, has bagged an academic doctorate degree from the Lagos State University.
He was one of the few to bag academic doctorate degrees at the graduation ceremony of the university last week.
A prominent indigene of Imasayi and Head of Media and External Relations of United Bank for Africa Plc, Ramon Olanrewaju Nasir, announced the news on his X handle over the weekend.
Nasir tweeted: “Olu Imasayi Bags another 1st
“An Academic Doctorate Degree from @LASUOfficial.
“Congratulations @AareFcim.
“Thank you for the inspiration to us all.”
The Eagle Online recalls that before bagging the doctorate from LASU, the first class traditional ruler, who was born on April 18, 1970, has a diploma and a first degree in Social Works Administration.
Oba Kuoye’s Master’s degree was also in Social Works.
Both degrees were from LASU.
He once told The PUNCH about his life: “I was enrolled at UMC Primary School, Eleja, Ado-Odo in 1973.
“From there, I moved to St. Stephens Commercial High School in September, 1979 and I finished in1984.
On what he did after secondary school, Oba Kuoye said: “I did very well the first time I took my (Senior School Certificate Examination) papers, but I didn’t pass mathematics and so I had to retake my papers at Alama Grammar School, Ado-Odo in 1985.
“The most alarming and unfortunate part was that my results were not released.
“So, I decided that instead of sitting down at home, doing nothing, I would learn a vocation.
“I then decided to learn plumbing, but one of my brothers, who is now an architect, disagreed and insisted I must not abandon school.
“He said if it was someone else, he would have given his approval, but for me, he would not because I was brilliant and he wanted me to further my education.
“But then, there was no money, so I had to work as a bus conductor until 1988 when I enrolled at Ado-Odo High School to retake the SSCE and I finally had good grades.
“Thereafter, between 1988 and 1989, I gained admission into St. Andrews College of Education, Oyo, where I studied Political Science, English.
“But when I was in my third year, about graduating, things became so hard financially that I had to quit school.
“I went back to do transport business and fortunately for me, I did well and I was able to raise money to go back to school.
“So, I went to Lagos State University to study Social Work Administration at Diploma level.
“On finishing, I enrolled for my first degree.
“I had a lecturer, Prof. Adebowale M. A., who is also from Ado-Odo.
“Whenever he saw me, he would say: ‘Kuoye, if you didn’t finish College of Education, please make sure you get your first degree.’
“Also, I had two friends then – Prof. Adewole Atere, who now works at the Osun State University; and Dr Kunle Ogundele, who is the Director, Centre for Regional Planning,
Lagos State University – who also kept mounting pressure on me that I must continue my education.
“With their encouragement, I finished my first degree and then proceeded for my master’s.
“After bagging my master’s, these people still didn’t stop mounting pressure on me to go for PhD.
“I applied to several universities for my PhD.
“I was in the middle of my PhD programme when the issue of becoming a monarch came.”
