ACSPN, Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Akinfeleye, Lai Mohammed mourn

A communication scholar and veteran in Nigeria’s media and communication community, Prof. Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, has died at the age of 85.

Sobowale died yesterday, according to a statement by a member of his family, Dr Akinniyi I. Sowunmi.

The family, however, disclosed that arrangements for his funeral would be announced later.

Meanwhile, National President of the ACSPN, Prof. Rotimi Olatunji; former Head of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, and African representative at the World Journalism Education Congress (WJEC), Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, yesterday joined distinguished personalities that paid tributes to the titan of media scholarship, Shobowale.

Olatunji said: “Pa Sobowale was not merely a scholar; he was the foundational bedrock upon which modern Nigerian media education, precision journalism and public communication management were built.

“Furthermore, he left a legacy of academic and professional excellence, and bridged academia and professional practice with unmatched distinction.”

On her part, Ogwezzy-Ndisika stated: “On personal reflection, to many of us at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos and across academia, Sobowale was more than a professor; he was a beacon of intellectual discipline, integrity and warmth. As one who followed in the footsteps of giants at UNILAG, I benefited immensely from his encouragement and commitment to nurturing generations of scholars and media practitioners.

He modelled what it meant to lead with passion, scholarly exactitude and administrative clarity.

Speaking in a similar vein, Akinfeleye said: “What a big calamity! It is shocking and shockingly devastating at this critical stage when all roads should be heading to Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, for his yearly conference.”

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, also expressed deep sadness over the death of Sobowale, describing him as an accomplished professional, a wise counsellor and a valued friend whose contributions to public service and education would not be forgotten.

In a condolence message in Lagos yesterday, Mohammed recalled the uniquely cordial relationship he shared with Sobowale.