An Exclusive Interview with a don in Economics
An Erudite of Economics who retired from civil service, Professor Joseph Ajibola Fabayo, in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife celebrated his new age at 70 years and his retirement on Wednesday 8th August 2018. He was interviewed shortly after the celebration that held that Wednesday at moot and mock near First bank lecture theatre in OAU by an OAUpeeps & Wapniyi News reporter. These are the fruits of his reflexions on questions he was interrogated.
Interviewer: Good Evening sir
Prof: Good Evening
Interviewer: Sir, I'm from OAUpeeps News Agency. Sir, I want ask you some few questions.
Prof: Okay
Interviewer: Sir, can you work in the ministry of this failing government in Nigeria if appointed ?
Prof: I can never, I can never. There is no amount of endowment, give me one million naira per day, 1 million naira every day to work, I can't. I will rather stay with my 200 thousand here in ife and now as it is, I will now be on pension. I don't know how much that pension is going to bring for me, even if it's 10,000 naira, if I take it with the fear of God and God blesses it. I'm a happy person and more fulfilled. It is better than collecting all the Money and running from place to place. You know, they (politicians) don't even sleep in one something (house) try to look for security.
Interviewer: Sir, with the situations on ground now, how things are going with the economy, how do you see the future of Nigeria?
Prof: The future of Nigeria for now is bleak. It is my country, I have been, I was born in this country 70 years (ago). I'm able to say that because I have seen the things through 70 years. I had a Ph.d degree in 1978, when came into this country (from abroad) my gross salary in the year was 5,000 naira and when we divided that one by 12 it came to 480. I was given the university house, I paid my rent, paid for water, paid for electricity and they would give me 333 naira a month. We were there, we see students. Most of the people who are here, those are former students. There was a time I was teaching some of our students 10:00pm to 1:00 a.m.
People (Students) would come and they would do the work, in fact, I was giving test to my students twice in a week, impromptu tests. I would grade and they were excited and as teacher I was fulfilled and I was very happy. We don't teach for failure, now (some) people don't teach, you've heard it, someone scored 33% and one person (lecturer) says he has the power to change it to an 'A' and to grade the person an 'A', the person proposed to bed with the affected person Five times to give an 'A' and bed with the person 4 times to give a 'B'. Where is the future in that? If that's the way we taught them to go bed or to go and bring money(bribe), sincerely, where they are today they won't be there, they (students) need to be empowered and equipped. They (some graduates) have been trained properly that's why they are to teach and empower other people. We get our salaries, we're paid for what we're doing.
Don't forget, that money they're paying us is not government's money, it is your father's money, my money etc...
Government don't have money, government collects money.: taxes on individuals, on common wealth as 'epo' (fuel). Government collects money so that they do what an individual can't do on their own such as roads, bridges, airports, etc. That's why we contribute (to the government). So, the money we're paid is from the parents of these students. How can the parents do that and then, the kids of these parents come to school while they're still abused (the students). If we're not careful that's the future and we cannot be happy.
Interviewer: Sir, as student's councillor and you have good relationship with students. Sir, for the main (currently) time the Students' Union has been banned due to some Union leaders misbehaviours. What do you think about this?
Prof: Yeah, I support banning your students' union if they misbehave. I'm not your biological father, you school in this university by that you're a child to me. Your parent has come and has given you to us, I'm your academic local parent. That's the way I will handle you as son, as a child. God forbid, if your are in trouble that's my responsibility. But, for me I have problems with the university open and closed. I don't want students to misbehave if they misbehave, we can ban them if they are not remorseful.
Interviewer: Sir, how is the V.C related to you?
Prof: Ehn, the V.C is our head of the place (university). Whoever is your leader, you must pray, obey and be faithful. By being faithful to the vice chancellor, faithful to a leader, it's not the individual but it's the system you're being faithful to. If we do it and it is smooth all of us will benefit from it. Anytime they close down the university and they barricade the streets, we all of us 'la maa jiya e' (will suffer from it). If you brand the university and give the university a bad name, it is all of us that will be affected. If you cooperate with the leaders and they do well and they go, it is all of us that's going to gain from it. It's not them alone and they (leaders) too we need to pity them because it is not easy.
Interviewer: Sir, how do you see the future of the Department of Economics and the Faculty at large?
Prof: Oh! The future is bright, bright the way they're going!
Interviewer: Sir, why do you think it is bright?
Prof: Because, we've seen them. They're my colleagues. Many of them are my former students. I have studied them over time. Mo ti ri pattern won(I have seen their pattern). If they can build on the current pattern, the future is bright.
Interviewer: Sir, which sport do you like most?
Prof: I'm a footballer with all my life. I was a football captain in my secondary school. I came in here, formed the OAU lecturer, Academic staffs football club. We were playing that for a longtime.
Interviewer: Sir, do you like watching movies?
Prof: No, I don't have the patience to watch films. Shemo (you know), the only things I do after that is listen to news and watch football.
Interviewer: Sir, what's your most memorable day?
Prof: Ehn Yes!, there are many memorable days, I mean they equally carry the same weight. For example, the they you're born is memorable day, I may not even know then. The day you got born again is a memorable day. The day you pass primary six because without passing primary you can't go to secondary school is a memorable day.
Interviewer: Sir, which one do you like most?
Prof: Ah, they are all equally important, in fact, if anything at all. For example, you would like to credit your primary school education. Because without the primary thing you can't go to secondary. That's the foundation, it is very important. You will not be able to go further if don't dare have primary (education), you can't go (to secondary school). If you don't have secondary (education) you can't go to university. If I don't have university education, I can't be what I am. But, that's the foundation. They said it in that citation (prof's short biography) "because you're the best student in your sect then the university retains you". That didn't start from somewhere if I didn't have a primary school (education). If I was not born and not properly raised by my parents, all these won't be achieved.
Interviewer: Sir, can you bring offsprings, grandchildren to this institution (OAU) if they're still young?
Prof: This university is still the best. If the university is ten times worst than this, to me it's still the best. Any children I have as my grand children, if they're in their year to go to school that's the school they will go to. We proud ourselves with that 'Great Ife'. I can never sacrifice my children. Every other university in this country and indeed in the world is secondary to ife. Aburo, we must not lose tight foundation.
Interviewer: Sir, how do you make it to be recognized all over the world?
Prof: God grace and Hard works. Don't cut corners, don't break aegis. When God gives you enablement, good health etc. All is well
Interviewer: Sir, who helped you in your activities to be successful?
Prof: Late Professor Samuel Aluko and others (some lecturers). He was my head of department when I came in as student. He was the one whom recruited me into the system. He is popular and was a forerunner economist in this country (Nigeria).
Interviewer: Sir, can you cite the person that helped you most in your family?
Prof: Everybody.
Interviewer: Thank you Sir. Can I have your name again sir ?
Prof: I'm Joseph Ajibola Fabayo
Interviewer: Professor Joseph Ajibola Fabayo. I am Ganiyu Ayanniyi sir. Thank you sir.An Erudite of Economics who retired from civil service, Professor Joseph Ajibola Fabayo, in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife celebrated his new age at 70 years and his retirement on Wednesday 8th August 2018. He was interviewed shortly after the celebration that held that Wednesday at moot and mock near First bank lecture theatre in OAU by an OAUpeeps News reporter. These are the fruits of his reflexions on questions he was interrogated.
Interviewer: Good Evening sir
Prof: Good Evening
Interviewer: Sir, I'm from OAUpeeps News Agency. Sir, I want ask you some few questions.
Prof: Okay
Interviewer: Sir, can you work in the ministry of this failing government in Nigeria if appointed ?
Prof: I can never, I can never. There is no amount of endowment, give me one million naira per day, 1 million naira every day to work, I can't. I will rather stay with my 200 thousand here in ife and now as it is, I will now be on pension. I don't know how much that pension is going to bring for me, even if it's 10,000 naira, if I take it with the fear of God and God blesses it. I'm a happy person and more fulfilled. It is better than collecting all the Money and running from place to place. You know, they (politicians) don't even sleep in one something (house) try to look for security.
Interviewer: Sir, with the situations on ground now, how things are going with the economy, how do you see the future of Nigeria?
Prof: The future of Nigeria for now is bleak. It is my country, I have been, I was born in this country 70 years (ago). I'm able to say that because I have seen the things through 70 years. I had a Ph.d degree in 1978, when came into this country (from abroad) my gross salary in the year was 5,000 naira and when we divided that one by 12 it came to 480. I was given the university house, I paid my rent, paid for water, paid for electricity and they would give me 333 naira a month. We were there, we see students. Most of the people who are here, those are former students. There was a time I was teaching some of our students 10:00pm to 1:00 a.m.
People (Students) would come and they would do the work, in fact, I was giving test to my students twice in a week, impromptu tests. I would grade and they were excited and as teacher I was fulfilled and I was very happy. We don't teach for failure, now (some) people don't teach, you've heard it, someone scored 33% and one person (lecturer) says he has the power to change it to an 'A' and to grade the person an 'A', the person proposed to bed with the affected person Five times to give an 'A' and bed with the person 4 times to give a 'B'. Where is the future in that? If that's the way we taught them to go bed or to go and bring money(bribe), sincerely, where they are today they won't be there, they (students) need to be empowered and equipped. They (some graduates) have been trained properly that's why they are to teach and empower other people. We get our salaries, we're paid for what we're doing.
Don't forget, that money they're paying us is not government's money, it is your father's money, my money etc...
Government don't have money, government collects money.: taxes on individuals, on common wealth as 'epo' (fuel). Government collects money so that they do what an individual can't do on their own such as roads, bridges, airports, etc. That's why we contribute (to the government). So, the money we're paid is from the parents of these students. How can the parents do that and then, the kids of these parents come to school while they're still abused (the students). If we're not careful that's the future and we cannot be happy.
Interviewer: Sir, as student's councillor and you have good relationship with students. Sir, for the main (currently) time the Students' Union has been banned due to some Union leaders misbehaviours. What do you think about this?
Prof: Yeah, I support banning your students' union if they misbehave. I'm not your biological father, you school in this university by that you're a child to me. Your parent has come and has given you to us, I'm your academic local parent. That's the way I will handle you as son, as a child. God forbid, if your are in trouble that's my responsibility. But, for me I have problems with the university open and closed. I don't want students to misbehave if they misbehave, we can ban them if they are not remorseful.
Interviewer: Sir, how is the V.C related to you?
Prof: Ehn, the V.C is our head of the place (university). Whoever is your leader, you must pray, obey and be faithful. By being faithful to the vice chancellor, faithful to a leader, it's not the individual but it's the system you're being faithful to. If we do it and it is smooth all of us will benefit from it. Anytime they close down the university and they barricade the streets, we all of us 'la maa jiya e' (will suffer from it). If you brand the university and give the university a bad name, it is all of us that will be affected. If you cooperate with the leaders and they do well and they go, it is all of us that's going to gain from it. It's not them alone and they (leaders) too we need to pity them because it is not easy.
Interviewer: Sir, how do you see the future of the Department of Economics and the Faculty at large?
Prof: Oh! The future is bright, bright the way they're going!
Interviewer: Sir, why do you think it is bright?
Prof: Because, we've seen them. They're my colleagues. Many of them are my former students. I have studied them over time. Mo ti ri pattern won(I have seen their pattern). If they can build on the current pattern, the future is bright.
Interviewer: Sir, which sport do you like most?
Prof: I'm a footballer with all my life. I was a football captain in my secondary school. I came in here, formed the OAU lecturer, Academic staffs football club. We were playing that for a longtime.
Interviewer: Sir, do you like watching movies?
Prof: No, I don't have the patience to watch films. Shemo (you know), the only things I do after that is listen to news and watch football.
Interviewer: Sir, what's your most memorable day?
Prof: Ehn Yes!, there are many memorable days, I mean they equally carry the same weight. For example, the they you're born is memorable day, I may not even know then. The day you got born again is a memorable day. The day you pass primary six because without passing primary you can't go to secondary school is a memorable day.
Interviewer: Sir, which one do you like most?
Prof: Ah, they are all equally important, in fact, if anything at all. For example, you would like to credit your primary school education. Because without the primary thing you can't go to secondary. That's the foundation, it is very important. You will not be able to go further if don't dare have primary (education), you can't go (to secondary school). If you don't have secondary (education) you can't go to university. If I don't have university education, I can't be what I am. But, that's the foundation. They said it in that citation (prof's short biography) "because you're the best student in your sect then the university retains you". That didn't start from somewhere if I didn't have a primary school (education). If I was not born and not properly raised by my parents, all these won't be achieved.
Interviewer: Sir, can you bring offsprings, grandchildren to this institution (OAU) if they're still young?
Prof: This university is still the best. If the university is ten times worst than this, to me it's still the best. Any children I have as my grand children, if they're in their year to go to school that's the school they will go to. We proud ourselves with that 'Great Ife'. I can never sacrifice my children. Every other university in this country and indeed in the world is secondary to ife. Aburo, we must not lose tight foundation.
Interviewer: Sir, how do you make it to be recognized all over the world?
Prof: God grace and Hard works. Don't cut corners, don't break aegis. When God gives you enablement, good health etc. All is well
Interviewer: Sir, who helped you in your activities to be successful?
Prof: Late Professor Samuel Aluko and others (some lecturers). He was my head of department when I came in as student. He was the one whom recruited me into the system. He is popular and was a forerunner economist in this country (Nigeria).
Interviewer: Sir, can you cite the person that helped you most in your family?
Prof: Everybody.
Interviewer: Thank you Sir. Can I have your name again sir ?
Prof: I'm Joseph Ajibola Fabayo
Interviewer: Professor Joseph Ajibola Fabayo. I am Ganiyu Ayanniyi sir. Thank you sir.
Interviewer: Good Evening sir
Prof: Good Evening
Interviewer: Sir, I'm from OAUpeeps News Agency. Sir, I want ask you some few questions.
Prof: Okay
Interviewer: Sir, can you work in the ministry of this failing government in Nigeria if appointed ?
Prof: I can never, I can never. There is no amount of endowment, give me one million naira per day, 1 million naira every day to work, I can't. I will rather stay with my 200 thousand here in ife and now as it is, I will now be on pension. I don't know how much that pension is going to bring for me, even if it's 10,000 naira, if I take it with the fear of God and God blesses it. I'm a happy person and more fulfilled. It is better than collecting all the Money and running from place to place. You know, they (politicians) don't even sleep in one something (house) try to look for security.
Interviewer: Sir, with the situations on ground now, how things are going with the economy, how do you see the future of Nigeria?
Prof: The future of Nigeria for now is bleak. It is my country, I have been, I was born in this country 70 years (ago). I'm able to say that because I have seen the things through 70 years. I had a Ph.d degree in 1978, when came into this country (from abroad) my gross salary in the year was 5,000 naira and when we divided that one by 12 it came to 480. I was given the university house, I paid my rent, paid for water, paid for electricity and they would give me 333 naira a month. We were there, we see students. Most of the people who are here, those are former students. There was a time I was teaching some of our students 10:00pm to 1:00 a.m.
People (Students) would come and they would do the work, in fact, I was giving test to my students twice in a week, impromptu tests. I would grade and they were excited and as teacher I was fulfilled and I was very happy. We don't teach for failure, now (some) people don't teach, you've heard it, someone scored 33% and one person (lecturer) says he has the power to change it to an 'A' and to grade the person an 'A', the person proposed to bed with the affected person Five times to give an 'A' and bed with the person 4 times to give a 'B'. Where is the future in that? If that's the way we taught them to go bed or to go and bring money(bribe), sincerely, where they are today they won't be there, they (students) need to be empowered and equipped. They (some graduates) have been trained properly that's why they are to teach and empower other people. We get our salaries, we're paid for what we're doing.
Don't forget, that money they're paying us is not government's money, it is your father's money, my money etc...
Government don't have money, government collects money.: taxes on individuals, on common wealth as 'epo' (fuel). Government collects money so that they do what an individual can't do on their own such as roads, bridges, airports, etc. That's why we contribute (to the government). So, the money we're paid is from the parents of these students. How can the parents do that and then, the kids of these parents come to school while they're still abused (the students). If we're not careful that's the future and we cannot be happy.
Interviewer: Sir, as student's councillor and you have good relationship with students. Sir, for the main (currently) time the Students' Union has been banned due to some Union leaders misbehaviours. What do you think about this?
Prof: Yeah, I support banning your students' union if they misbehave. I'm not your biological father, you school in this university by that you're a child to me. Your parent has come and has given you to us, I'm your academic local parent. That's the way I will handle you as son, as a child. God forbid, if your are in trouble that's my responsibility. But, for me I have problems with the university open and closed. I don't want students to misbehave if they misbehave, we can ban them if they are not remorseful.
Interviewer: Sir, how is the V.C related to you?
Prof: Ehn, the V.C is our head of the place (university). Whoever is your leader, you must pray, obey and be faithful. By being faithful to the vice chancellor, faithful to a leader, it's not the individual but it's the system you're being faithful to. If we do it and it is smooth all of us will benefit from it. Anytime they close down the university and they barricade the streets, we all of us 'la maa jiya e' (will suffer from it). If you brand the university and give the university a bad name, it is all of us that will be affected. If you cooperate with the leaders and they do well and they go, it is all of us that's going to gain from it. It's not them alone and they (leaders) too we need to pity them because it is not easy.
Interviewer: Sir, how do you see the future of the Department of Economics and the Faculty at large?
Prof: Oh! The future is bright, bright the way they're going!
Interviewer: Sir, why do you think it is bright?
Prof: Because, we've seen them. They're my colleagues. Many of them are my former students. I have studied them over time. Mo ti ri pattern won(I have seen their pattern). If they can build on the current pattern, the future is bright.
Interviewer: Sir, which sport do you like most?
Prof: I'm a footballer with all my life. I was a football captain in my secondary school. I came in here, formed the OAU lecturer, Academic staffs football club. We were playing that for a longtime.
Interviewer: Sir, do you like watching movies?
Prof: No, I don't have the patience to watch films. Shemo (you know), the only things I do after that is listen to news and watch football.
Interviewer: Sir, what's your most memorable day?
Prof: Ehn Yes!, there are many memorable days, I mean they equally carry the same weight. For example, the they you're born is memorable day, I may not even know then. The day you got born again is a memorable day. The day you pass primary six because without passing primary you can't go to secondary school is a memorable day.
Interviewer: Sir, which one do you like most?
Prof: Ah, they are all equally important, in fact, if anything at all. For example, you would like to credit your primary school education. Because without the primary thing you can't go to secondary. That's the foundation, it is very important. You will not be able to go further if don't dare have primary (education), you can't go (to secondary school). If you don't have secondary (education) you can't go to university. If I don't have university education, I can't be what I am. But, that's the foundation. They said it in that citation (prof's short biography) "because you're the best student in your sect then the university retains you". That didn't start from somewhere if I didn't have a primary school (education). If I was not born and not properly raised by my parents, all these won't be achieved.
Interviewer: Sir, can you bring offsprings, grandchildren to this institution (OAU) if they're still young?
Prof: This university is still the best. If the university is ten times worst than this, to me it's still the best. Any children I have as my grand children, if they're in their year to go to school that's the school they will go to. We proud ourselves with that 'Great Ife'. I can never sacrifice my children. Every other university in this country and indeed in the world is secondary to ife. Aburo, we must not lose tight foundation.
Interviewer: Sir, how do you make it to be recognized all over the world?
Prof: God grace and Hard works. Don't cut corners, don't break aegis. When God gives you enablement, good health etc. All is well
Interviewer: Sir, who helped you in your activities to be successful?
Prof: Late Professor Samuel Aluko and others (some lecturers). He was my head of department when I came in as student. He was the one whom recruited me into the system. He is popular and was a forerunner economist in this country (Nigeria).
Interviewer: Sir, can you cite the person that helped you most in your family?
Prof: Everybody.
Interviewer: Thank you Sir. Can I have your name again sir ?
Prof: I'm Joseph Ajibola Fabayo
Interviewer: Professor Joseph Ajibola Fabayo. I am Ganiyu Ayanniyi sir. Thank you sir.An Erudite of Economics who retired from civil service, Professor Joseph Ajibola Fabayo, in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife celebrated his new age at 70 years and his retirement on Wednesday 8th August 2018. He was interviewed shortly after the celebration that held that Wednesday at moot and mock near First bank lecture theatre in OAU by an OAUpeeps News reporter. These are the fruits of his reflexions on questions he was interrogated.
Interviewer: Good Evening sir
Prof: Good Evening
Interviewer: Sir, I'm from OAUpeeps News Agency. Sir, I want ask you some few questions.
Prof: Okay
Interviewer: Sir, can you work in the ministry of this failing government in Nigeria if appointed ?
Prof: I can never, I can never. There is no amount of endowment, give me one million naira per day, 1 million naira every day to work, I can't. I will rather stay with my 200 thousand here in ife and now as it is, I will now be on pension. I don't know how much that pension is going to bring for me, even if it's 10,000 naira, if I take it with the fear of God and God blesses it. I'm a happy person and more fulfilled. It is better than collecting all the Money and running from place to place. You know, they (politicians) don't even sleep in one something (house) try to look for security.
Interviewer: Sir, with the situations on ground now, how things are going with the economy, how do you see the future of Nigeria?
Prof: The future of Nigeria for now is bleak. It is my country, I have been, I was born in this country 70 years (ago). I'm able to say that because I have seen the things through 70 years. I had a Ph.d degree in 1978, when came into this country (from abroad) my gross salary in the year was 5,000 naira and when we divided that one by 12 it came to 480. I was given the university house, I paid my rent, paid for water, paid for electricity and they would give me 333 naira a month. We were there, we see students. Most of the people who are here, those are former students. There was a time I was teaching some of our students 10:00pm to 1:00 a.m.
People (Students) would come and they would do the work, in fact, I was giving test to my students twice in a week, impromptu tests. I would grade and they were excited and as teacher I was fulfilled and I was very happy. We don't teach for failure, now (some) people don't teach, you've heard it, someone scored 33% and one person (lecturer) says he has the power to change it to an 'A' and to grade the person an 'A', the person proposed to bed with the affected person Five times to give an 'A' and bed with the person 4 times to give a 'B'. Where is the future in that? If that's the way we taught them to go bed or to go and bring money(bribe), sincerely, where they are today they won't be there, they (students) need to be empowered and equipped. They (some graduates) have been trained properly that's why they are to teach and empower other people. We get our salaries, we're paid for what we're doing.
Don't forget, that money they're paying us is not government's money, it is your father's money, my money etc...
Government don't have money, government collects money.: taxes on individuals, on common wealth as 'epo' (fuel). Government collects money so that they do what an individual can't do on their own such as roads, bridges, airports, etc. That's why we contribute (to the government). So, the money we're paid is from the parents of these students. How can the parents do that and then, the kids of these parents come to school while they're still abused (the students). If we're not careful that's the future and we cannot be happy.
Interviewer: Sir, as student's councillor and you have good relationship with students. Sir, for the main (currently) time the Students' Union has been banned due to some Union leaders misbehaviours. What do you think about this?
Prof: Yeah, I support banning your students' union if they misbehave. I'm not your biological father, you school in this university by that you're a child to me. Your parent has come and has given you to us, I'm your academic local parent. That's the way I will handle you as son, as a child. God forbid, if your are in trouble that's my responsibility. But, for me I have problems with the university open and closed. I don't want students to misbehave if they misbehave, we can ban them if they are not remorseful.
Interviewer: Sir, how is the V.C related to you?
Prof: Ehn, the V.C is our head of the place (university). Whoever is your leader, you must pray, obey and be faithful. By being faithful to the vice chancellor, faithful to a leader, it's not the individual but it's the system you're being faithful to. If we do it and it is smooth all of us will benefit from it. Anytime they close down the university and they barricade the streets, we all of us 'la maa jiya e' (will suffer from it). If you brand the university and give the university a bad name, it is all of us that will be affected. If you cooperate with the leaders and they do well and they go, it is all of us that's going to gain from it. It's not them alone and they (leaders) too we need to pity them because it is not easy.
Interviewer: Sir, how do you see the future of the Department of Economics and the Faculty at large?
Prof: Oh! The future is bright, bright the way they're going!
Interviewer: Sir, why do you think it is bright?
Prof: Because, we've seen them. They're my colleagues. Many of them are my former students. I have studied them over time. Mo ti ri pattern won(I have seen their pattern). If they can build on the current pattern, the future is bright.
Interviewer: Sir, which sport do you like most?
Prof: I'm a footballer with all my life. I was a football captain in my secondary school. I came in here, formed the OAU lecturer, Academic staffs football club. We were playing that for a longtime.
Interviewer: Sir, do you like watching movies?
Prof: No, I don't have the patience to watch films. Shemo (you know), the only things I do after that is listen to news and watch football.
Interviewer: Sir, what's your most memorable day?
Prof: Ehn Yes!, there are many memorable days, I mean they equally carry the same weight. For example, the they you're born is memorable day, I may not even know then. The day you got born again is a memorable day. The day you pass primary six because without passing primary you can't go to secondary school is a memorable day.
Interviewer: Sir, which one do you like most?
Prof: Ah, they are all equally important, in fact, if anything at all. For example, you would like to credit your primary school education. Because without the primary thing you can't go to secondary. That's the foundation, it is very important. You will not be able to go further if don't dare have primary (education), you can't go (to secondary school). If you don't have secondary (education) you can't go to university. If I don't have university education, I can't be what I am. But, that's the foundation. They said it in that citation (prof's short biography) "because you're the best student in your sect then the university retains you". That didn't start from somewhere if I didn't have a primary school (education). If I was not born and not properly raised by my parents, all these won't be achieved.
Interviewer: Sir, can you bring offsprings, grandchildren to this institution (OAU) if they're still young?
Prof: This university is still the best. If the university is ten times worst than this, to me it's still the best. Any children I have as my grand children, if they're in their year to go to school that's the school they will go to. We proud ourselves with that 'Great Ife'. I can never sacrifice my children. Every other university in this country and indeed in the world is secondary to ife. Aburo, we must not lose tight foundation.
Interviewer: Sir, how do you make it to be recognized all over the world?
Prof: God grace and Hard works. Don't cut corners, don't break aegis. When God gives you enablement, good health etc. All is well
Interviewer: Sir, who helped you in your activities to be successful?
Prof: Late Professor Samuel Aluko and others (some lecturers). He was my head of department when I came in as student. He was the one whom recruited me into the system. He is popular and was a forerunner economist in this country (Nigeria).
Interviewer: Sir, can you cite the person that helped you most in your family?
Prof: Everybody.
Interviewer: Thank you Sir. Can I have your name again sir ?
Prof: I'm Joseph Ajibola Fabayo
Interviewer: Professor Joseph Ajibola Fabayo. I am Ganiyu Ayanniyi sir. Thank you sir.
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