Kwara govt, monarch mourn KWASU VC, Akanbi

Kwara State government, yesterday, led sympathisers to mourn the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Prof. Mohammed Akanbi, who died on Sunday at the age of 51.

Akanbi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was appointed the second VC of KWASU by the Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazak-led government of Kwara.

The deceased, son of the pioneer Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the late Justice Mustapha Akanbi, succeeded the pioneer VC of KWASU, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah.

Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Kwara Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, described the death of Akanbi as painful and shocking to Kwara people.

The statement issued on Sunday night in Ilorin noted that the late silk, as a devout Muslim, diligently served the university community and the people of Kwara.

“We submit to the decree of Allah, who gives and takes. It is against that backdrop that we mourn the VC, who answered Allah’s call tonight. He was a true and humble servant of Allah and we beseech our God, the Oft-Forgiving and Merciful, to grant him al-jannah Firdaus,” he said.

“The professor of Law was a colossus, who played the leading role to open a new chapter of academic excellence and greatness for KWASU. Our condolences go to his family, immediate and extended, KWASU, the academic community, as well as members of the bar and the bench in Kwara and across the country,” he stated.

Also, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has expressed sadness over the VC’s demise.

The monarch described the death as shocking and saddening, stressing that the death remained a colossal loss to the people of Ilorin Emirate, Kwara citizens and the human race.

In a condolence message by his spokesman, Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir stated: “He attained the pinnacle of his legal career to become a SAN and reach the zenith of his academic career as a Professor of Law and was appointed by the current administration as the second VC of KWASU, all within his youthful age of existence on earth.

“He demonstrated high level of hardwork, commitments and dedication to the service of God and humanity at all levels of his private and public engagements. His death is a rude shock because of what he stood for in the society as a promising young man whose services, wisdom and commitments are needed for the development of our dear nation.”

While commiserating with the bereaved families, the monarch prayed God to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and admit him into paradise.

However, KWASU spokesperson, Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, said the institution would, in due course, officially react to the sad news.