PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO SOLA DUBLIN-GREEN
Sola Dublin-Green (Née Lasekan) was our classmate in the Department of Geology, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, in the graduating class of 1972, and my good friend. She was friendly towards her alma mater and the Department of Geology, before she was called to glory to join her late husband, Winston Fubara Dublin-Green, retired Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DG, DPR), who died a few years ago. Between the two of them, both staff and students of Geology received immense assistance for their academic pursuits.
Sola, who retired from the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), facilitated anuual field work to NIOMR by students and staff of the Departments of Geology and Civil Engineering in the ‘80s through the early 2000s to study Marine Geology, Coastal Erosion and ground subsidence problems on Victoria Island and Lagos State. Together with her colleagues at NIOMR, including Mrs. Regina Folorunso and Dr. Larry Awosika, accommodation, lectures and field work were superbly arranged for our benefit.
Sola and I graduated at the top of the class, with Sola clinching the Departmental Prize for the best graduating student (among the nine of us) in Geology in 1972, attesting to her brilliance, which matched her beauty and amiable disposition. Indeed, Sola was appointed our Mother Mary and Intercessor with our Lecturers who might wish to wield the big stick, especially on some of us, who were unrepentant members of the Palmwine Drinkerds Club!
Her last visit to Ile-Ife was to take time out of her very busy schedule to attend the Inaugural Lecture titled “Water from Rocks” which I gave on Tuesday 11th April 2017, accompanied by her Personal Assistant. They both attended the reception afterwards, till late in the evening, before returning to Lagos the next day. This was the last time I would see her. At that time she informed me of her desire to publish a book on Geology that she was working on to be launched on her 70th birthday, which was not to be. At her request, I found her a reviewer for the book, which was essentially completed, and I urge the family to ensure that the book is published posthumously, in deference to her wish.
May the Good Lord forgive her shortcomings and grant her eternal rest. Adieu, Sola, till we meet to part no more.
Prof. Joseph Owolabi Ajayi.
Department of Geology