Makinde, UNILAG, Okebukola mourn Ibidapo-Obe

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, expressed grief over the death of Pro-Chancellor, Technical University (Tech-U), Ibadan and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe.

He said the passing of the accomplished academic was a great loss to the state, Nigeria and the entire university community.

Governor Makinde commiserated with the family of the deceased, saying (Ibidapo-Obe was his lecturer at UNILAG and that the UNILAG community and management of Tech-U had lost a rare gem.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, quoted Makinde, as stating that the late Ibidapo-Obe was a teachers’ teacher and an excellent administrator, who made great imprints in the country’s education sector.

He added that the former Vice Chancellor’s death came at a time his wealth of experience and sterling knowledge of education management were needed most in the state and country.

“The news of the death of my uncle and lecturer, Ibidapo-Obe, came as a rude shock. But we submit to the will of God and pray that the Almighty grants repose to his soul,” the statement reads.

BESIDES, 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.”

SIMILARLY, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, said Ibidapo-Obe’s death was shocking, saying he was yet to process the news that broke on Sunday, January 3, 2021.

“Can my friend of about 21 years go just like that? Our close interaction started while he was Vice Chancellor of UNILAG and I was Executive Secretary of NUC.”

“Nigeria has lost a university administrator of special ilk and a scholar of immense lustre. I have lost a friend and brother. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” he said.