Abiodun, media experts, scholars, others pay tribute to Oso at funeral

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, media professionals, journalists and communication scholars were among distinguished personalities that paid their last respect to the renowned communication scholar, Prof. Lai Oso.

Speaking at his funeral held at the palace of Akarigbo of Remo Ogun State, Abiodun, who was represented by former Ogun State Commissioner for Works, Ade Akinsanya, described Oso as a dedicated teacher.

To him, Nigeria has lost a great icon and Oso would continue to live in the heart of many.
Former Rector, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Waheed Kadiri, said Oso was his Deputy while in office.

Describing him as a loyal and great man, he said his life impacted many, including mentoring his daughter from School Certificate holder till she became a lecturer at University of Ilorin.

In his message, Senior Pastor, Victory Life Bible Church, Lawrence Achudume, said Nigeria needed men like Oso.

Speaking on the topic: “What will you be remembered for?” the cleric noted: “We need men like Prof. Oso in this country. He lived a contented life. I wish all Nigerians could.

Executive Director International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, described Prof. Oso as a close friend and associate of IPC for which he served as a resource person and adviser for close to two decades.

“Notably, he featured as the lead speaker at a media tweet conference with the theme: “2015 Elections: Addressing fair and equitable media access for parties and candidates” during the 2015 general elections.

He said: “Prof. Oso was also instrumental to creating awareness about IPC’s library and resources as he regularly referred undergraduate and post-graduate students to the organisation for research materials on media independence, press freedom, access to information, role of the media in democracy, among others.’

Saying he was as a scholar who encouraged others to become scholars, he added that Oso constantly explored new frontiers of knowledge and was never tired of writing.

“The last time we spoke, he requested for a chapter in the book: State of the Media in Nigeria 1996 published when I was the Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). Behold, he wrote the first chapter entitled: Journalism and Social Responsibility: Between Objectivity and Advocacy. Apparently, he needed the chapter for another research work he was undertaking”.

“It was his thirst for research that made him extremely knowledgeable in different areas of Mass Media and communication,” Arogundade added.

Among notable personalities at the event include: Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, Prof. Umaru Pate, Executive Director Institute for Media and Society (IMS), Akin Akingbulu, member Editorial Board Guardian Newspaper and Prof. of Mass Communication University of Lagos, Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika;, Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Sunday Alawode; Prof. of Public Relations and Advertising LASU Rotimi Olatunji and Prof. of Conflict Sensitive Journalism, LASU Jide Jimoh among others.

Born in 1955 in Sagamu Ogun State, Prof. Oso was a scholar of international repute. He was also a lecturer and former Deputy Rector, Moshood Abiola Abeokuta, Ogun State, he also lectured at Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye Ogun State, Caleb University Imota, Lagos and University of Lagos before joining LASU School of Communication in 2011. He died on June 24, 2023.

Born in 1955 in Sagamu Ogun State, Prof. Oso was a scholar of international repute. Lecturer and former Deputy Rector Moshood Abiola Abeokuta, Ogun State, he also lectured at Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye Ogun State, Caleb University Imota, Lagos and University of Lagos before joining LASU School of Communication in 2011. He died on June 24, 2023.