Condolences
| S. O. Talabi |
Professor |
August 30, 2018 |
It was with a heavy heart that I received the sad news of the passing on of Prof. Vincent Alaba Akinsete through one of his former students, Professor. Ayo Oyediran of Mechanical Engineering Department, UNILAG. Although I last saw Prof. Akinsete about two years ago, I continued to envision him in his robust physic and warm disposition. Prof Akinsete was my senior collegue, mentor and head of Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos. He enthusistically took me as a 'younger brother' and collegue when Í joined the Dept of Mechanical Engineering in December 1976. By 1977, he introduced me to the problem of heat transfer in artíc space of tropical buildings and which became the bedrock of most of my academic research efforts. My heartfelt codolences go to his amable wife, Prof (Mrs.) R. Akinsete, the children and the larger family while wishing the soul of dear departed a peaceful repose.
Engr. Professor S.O.Talabi
| Gbenga Alaba Tanimowo |
Engr. |
August 30, 2018 |
I join others in the noble field of engineering profession to celebrate you Sir! You are indeed an inspiration in all areas you served and I pray that your good work shall live forever as you continue to rest peacefully in the bossom of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Engr Gbenga Alaba Tanimowo
TRIBUTE TO MY TEACHER, SENIOR COLLEAGUE AND MENTOR
On August 16, 2018 I received a Whatsapp message from a respected Senior colleague, Engr Dr Oye Eribake saying that "Professor Akinsete just passed away". The message was so destabilizing that all I could say was "this is very shocking!!!". I immediately started making phone calls to verify the sad news because about a week to this day I had a strong nudge to visit him at his residence in Lekki to braistorm with him on my on -going projects and my professional direction as we periodically do. The following day I had to go to the house where my fears were confirmed by the sight of visitors who were around to pay condolence to the family and especially his darling wife, Prof. Mrs Akinsete; our big sister since my days at Methodist Boys' High School, Lagos with Afolabi, her junior brother.
Professor Vincent Alaba Akinsete was one of my beloved teachers in the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Lagos in the early 1970s along with Prof. Ayodele Awojobi, Dr Onipinla, Senator (Dr) Okurounmu. I was fascinated by his areas of professional interest; thermo-fluids and energy management. His course in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC) gave me the impression that this is the only area that a mechanical engineering graduate can pursue at the graduate level and have professional fulfillment. It was very practical and nearly all members of my class wanted to work with Mandilas or an Engineering Consulting firm that engages in HVAC. He was the father of Renewable energy (solar, wind etc) research in Nigeria since the 1970s.
As a junior lecturer in the Mechanical engineering department in the early 1980s when my primary interest of research was in Materials Engineering, Prof. Akinsete stimulated my interest in Renewable Energy Research. This led to my six months fellowship with the Institute for Desert Research of the Ben Gurion University, Negev, Israel in the mid 1980s where I learnt so much about Solar energy applications while at the same time applying my knowledge of materials engineering to develop structural materials for desert buildings.
As the Chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in the 1980s, I remember your mooting the idea of building a Nigerian motor car. The pursuit of which led to the commissioning and funding of Addis Engineering in Lagos , Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Kwara State Polytechnic by the Directorate of Food,Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFFRI) and which ultimately resulted in the establishment of the Automotive Research Council in Nigeria.
Prof Akinsete was an amiable, generous and compassionate Mentor. As my Head of Department, I will always remember the five hundred British pounds (£ 500) he gave to me in the mid 1980s for a training program on the novel Sifco Selective Plating Technology at Redditch, England. This opportunity led to my ability to use the technology to repair 8 and 12- cylinder locomotive crankshafts at the Nigerian Railway Corporation Ebute Metta, Lagos and the rehabilitation of many rotating machineries for the printing, cement, oil & gas, and power industries in the 1990s.
In spite of the fact that you retired from the services of the University of Lagos in 1985, you were assisting the Mechanical Engineering Department of Unilag in the 1990s with the teaching of some courses in Thermo - Fluids and at no cost to the University.
Some of us will continue your legacy of selfless service to the Society both in our professional capacity and social life, I will personally miss your amiable and brotherly interaction and discussions. I pray that God in Its mercy will give your family and especially your darling wife, Sister Ronke, the strength to bear the loss of your physical presence,
Adieu my beloved teacher, senior professional colleague and mentor. I will miss you but God loves you more.
Engr. Professor David Adesegun Aderibigbe
| OYE ERIBAKE |
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CLASS OF 1971 |
August 24, 2018 |
PROF. VINCENT ALABA AKINSETE: MY BARNABAS
How can I ever forget my first personal encounter with Prof. Vincent Alaba Akinsete and his mentorship throughout my professional career? He was to me “Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement.)”
Shortly after we came back from long vacation in 1969, he was walking with a group of us to the newly installed fluid mechanics laboratory. He was in charge of our practicals. We were all chatting as we went along and enjoying his company. All of a sudden, he turned to me and asked for my name. When I replied, he said "You did very well in Part 1 fluid mechanics exam." and I said " No Sir, on the contrary I had a reference." Immediately he replied, "Don’t worry, just put that behind you." How refreshingly encouraging!
Coming to my final year, I glanced through the list of projects and shortlisted two of the fluid mechanics projects - one as a team project, the other personal. The personal project was on "Design and Construction Of An Artificial Heart Pump." I needed to know who my supervisor would be before committing to it. I approached him to find out who was in charge. The first thing he said was "I know you, you can do anything." I pressed for a definitive answer before he disclosed it was him. That sealed it for me. I got all the encouragement and support needed. He arranged for me to see the newly acquired heart pump at LUTH. Thankfully, the project was more successful than I personally imagined because, when I faced the external examiner - Prof. Fred Bailey from Sussex University - for an assessment interview, he asked me to talk about my project. I wanted to know which of the projects he meant. His choice was the heart pump. I took him through the design and explained the constraints I had in motorising the prototype. At end of the interview, he sought to know my future plans. Little did I know that I had just encountered another mentor. Before he left for England, he left word that I should contact him once I decided on further studies.
The mentorship of Prof. Akinsete opened the door for me to work at Sussex University as well as earn the University's scholarship for my doctorate degree. He followed my career path to the very end. Sometime in 1990 during my posting to the then BBC Brown Boveri, Mannheim, Germany, he and Prof. Segun Ajayi (his “twin” brother”) visited the company on account of FINCO's consultancy service to ALSCON's power plant at Ikot Abasi. When they were told I was there, they demanded to see me before leaving the premises. Such was the extent of the love between a former lecturer and a former student after nearly 20 years of the latter’s graduation. Most uncommon in those days!
I remain eternally grateful to Prof. Vincent Alaba Akinsete, my lecturer, my mentor as a student and a budding professional and a lifetime friend. On what could easily have passed as one of his last social engagements, he honoured my invitation to my son’s wedding on 1st July, 2017. His conspicuous absence at Engr. Funso Kupolokun’s 70th birthday celebration on 10th December, 2017 put us on the edge as to his whereabouts. Prof. Ajayi was evasive for a while but he finally let the cat out of the bag – our mentor was on a medical trip to Germany, we should remember him in our prayers; which we did until another alumnus broke the news of his passing away a few hours after it happened.
May his gentle soul RIP and his good deeds flourish from generation to generation. Amen.
May we meet on the day of resurrection. Amen. Until then, adieu Prof. Vincent Alaba Akinsete.
I must not conclude this tribute without thanking his beloved wife Prof. Mrs. Ronke Akinsete for her unflinching support for the period of his illness. Ma, you gave practical expression to your marital vow "to love and to hold, ... in sickness and in health, ... till death do you part." Your labour of love shall not be in vain. The Lord shall lengthen your days and grant you peace and good health. May your children and grandchildren continue to surround your table and bring you joy. Amen.
Just as Apostle Paul was hard-pressed to choose between living and dying, I have no doubt in my mind that Prof. Vincent Alaba contended with such difficult choice. But, ultimately, the "desire to depart and be with Christ" prevailed because it "is far better." Please be rest assured that his loving arms await you on that glorious resurrection morning when you shall meet to part no more.
Until then, may the joy of the Lord be your strength. It shall be well with you, your children & grandchildren and the entire Akinsete family. Amen.
ENGR. DR. OYE ERIBAKE
| UNILAG MECH ENGINEERING ALUMNI |
CLASS OF 1971 |
August 24, 2018 |
TRIBUTE TO PROF. VINCENT ALABA AKINSETE
Prof. Akinsete was very dear to us his former Mechanical Engineering students at University of Lagos where he taught us Fluid Mechanics in our final year in 1970/71 two years after he joined the Faculty. He was ebullient and effervescent; bubbling with energy and full of ideas. His methodology espoused us to the subject like never before. He took pains to elaborate each topic in the lecture room and demonstrated it practically to us in the laboratory. He was more than just a lecturer; he was a teacher par excellence, a mentor and a brother all rolled together. His shoulder was broad enough for all of us to lean on. He never left us out of his radar even after graduation; he remained a mentor and friend till he died. Moreover, he was one of the leading lights in our profession.
Our condolences go to Prof. Mrs. Ronke Akinsete, his children and the larger Akinsete family. You have lost a star but we are convinced that earth’s loss is heaven’s gain for, according to Apostle Paul, “to depart and be with Christ, .. is far better.”
We pray that the Lord grants his gentle soul eternal rest and light perpetual rest upon him. Amen.
UNILAG MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ALUMNI - CLASS OF 1971
| Yele Wilson Adewole |
Unilag Faculty of Engineering Alumnus |
August 23, 2018 |
Prof Alaba Akinsete was my mentor while studying at Unilag. He was very instrumental in my changing from Electrical to Civil Engineering Department. He was often an encourager when things don’t seem to be going well. Prof was a perfect gentleman. May his gentle Soul Rest In Peace. May God comfort his family. What a great life well spent!
Engr. Yele Wilson Adewole.
| Engr Akintayo Akintola FNSE |
Former General Secretary NIMechE |
August 23, 2018 |
You were a great pillar in the formation of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, you were a great Teacher of Teachers. A great man exit is a gain to heaven. Rest in Peace Baba
Engr. Akintayo Akintola
| Christian Bolu |
Professor of Mechatronics Engineering |
August 21, 2018 |
Dear Prof Akinsete, You were a great mentor in my days at Tower Aluminium Nig PLC. Your memories will remain always. May the Lord comfort your family. Good bye.
Engr. Professor Christian Bolu
| Adisa, Ademola Bello |
Professor of Mechanical Engineering |
August 21, 2018 |
From God Almighty we came (at birth) and to God Almighty is our return (at death). I tried during my tenure as NIMechE National Chairman to see you but I was unlucky. May God Almighty bless and rest your soul and also bless the fruits of your hands you left behind. We will cntinue to build on the engineering legacy you left for us. Súń ré óóó.
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