Nigerians from every nook and cranny have continued to mourn the death of former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe.
Prof. Ibidapo-Obe aged 71 reportedly died from COVID-19 complications on Sunday, January 3.
The professor who emerged the overall best graduating student of the University of Lagos in 1971 was born on July 5, 1949.
A Nigerian professor of Systems Engineering educational administrator, he attended both Ilesa Grammar School and Igbobi College from 1962 – 1968 and University of Lagos from 1968 – 1971 where he got a Bachelor of Science [B.Sc.(Hons)] degree in Mathematics, First Class Division.
He further attained a Master of Mathematics degree in Applied Mathematics and Doctor of Philosophy {PhD} in Civil Engineering with specialization in Applied Mechanics/Systems both from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, mourned the renowned scholar saying the gap the late VC left would be difficult to fill.
Commiserating with the family and associates of the late academic, “The President affirms that the scholar and administrator will be sorely missed by the academia, government and the country as his sudden transition left a gap that will be difficult to fill, considering his contribution to the development of education, with a rich pedigree of being President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and upwardly rising over the years with distinguished career.
“He condoles with students and workers of UNILAG, FTU and the Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) over the loss, as well as the government and people of Osun State.”
Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has also described the death of Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, as a great loss to the state, Nigeria and the academic world.
Makinde commiserated with the family of the deceased, saying the Professor was his lecturer at UNILAG and that the UNILAG community and management of Tech-U had lost a rare gem.
The governor stated that the late Ibidapo-Obe was a teacher’s teacher and an administrator per excellence, who made great marks on Nigeria’s education sector, adding that his death came at a time his wealth of experience and sterling knowledge of education management are needed by the state and the country.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message yesterday said the late Ibidapo-Obe made lots of positive impacts and contributions during his lifetime to the growth and development of education in Nigeria.
He said: “The death of Prof. Oyewumi Ibidapo-Obe is a colossal loss to the academic community, government and the country. The late professor will be greatly missed.
“He wrote his name in gold as a scholar and administrator during his days as the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos State and Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities.
“I sympathise with students and workers of UNILAG, FTU and NUC, as well as governments and people of Osun and Oyo states over the death of Ibidapo-Obe.
“I also sympathise with the family and friends of the deceased and I pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.
Also the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said the news of Ibidapo-Obe’s death came as a rude shock, because of the service and dedication he put into “developing the institution since he joined as a student in 1968, later as a staff and as the 8th Vice Chancellor of the university between 2000 and 2007.”
Many other prominent people have also eulogized the late professor who they have all described as a mentor and a great asset to the nation.
