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UNILAG, Okebukola mourn Ibidapo-Obe
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday described the death of its former vice-chancellor, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, as a rude shock and a huge loss to the academia.
Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, in a statement, said Ibidapo-Obe exited the world at a time that his experience was in dire need for nation building.
Ibidapo-Obe died on Sunday, Jan. 3 at 71.
Until his death, he was the Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman of First Technical University, Ibadan.
The former vice-chancellor was a distinguished professor of Systems Engineering.
He was vice-chancellor of UNILAG from 2000 to 2007
The late don was also the president of the Nigerian Academy of Science from 2009 to 2013.
Ogundipe said: ”For us at the University of Lagos, we take solace in his many enduring legacies and footprints, which will remain with us for many years to come. The late 8th vice-chancellor was amiable and well-respected.
”The news of his death came to the university community as a rude shock, because of the great service and dedication he had put into developing the institution, since he joined as a student in 1968; later as a staff and eventually as the 8th Vice-Chancellor.
”His commitment, vision, resilience and tenacious nature helped to shape the university in many ways.
”The university has indeed lost an erudite scholar. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and the good Lord give his family and the university the fortitude to bear the great loss.”
Also reacting, Prof. Peter Okebukola, former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), described the death of Ibidapo-Obe as a shock of epic proportion to him.
Okebukola, a distinguished Professor of Science and Computer Education, said that Nigeria had lost a university administrator of special ilk and a scholar of immense lustre.
”We had drawn up plans for 2021 but God had other plans of taking him home.
”Even now, I am unable to process the news that came filtering in from late afternoon of Jan. 3.
”Can my friend of about 21 years go just like that? Our close interaction started while he was vice-chancellor, University of Lagos and I was executive secretary, NUC.
”His impressive leadership qualities and eminence of scholarship attracted him to me and along with Prof. Nimi Briggs, who was vice-chancellor, University of Port Harcourt.
“We formed a trio that has remained unbroken until the cold hands of death snatched Oye,” he said.
According to him, like twins, Oye and I offered service in several national and Africa regional academic engagements and I found him a clear-headed partner and deep thinker, who offered solutions to knotty problems that will overwhelm most.
”We were together in December, at the convocation ceremony of Crawford University, where he served as Chairman of Council and I, as Chairman, Board of Trustees, bubbling with energy and full of life.
”I lost a friend and brother. May his soul rest in peace,” Okebukola said.
As President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS elapses on July 9, 2024, presidents and representatives of 12 member states are currently meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, for the 63rd Ordinary Summit.
The meeting, which began at 1pm, would likely see the West African leaders announce a new chair to steer the affairs of the bloc for the next one year.]
However, there are indications that leaders may extend Tinubu’s tenure to give him time to possibly win back Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso into the bloc.
Details later…
Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State has directed local government Chairmen and Local Government Education Authority officials who tampered with the N30,000 sallah gifts to return the money.
This is contained in a statement issued by Malam Abubakar Bawa, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Aliyu on Sunday.
‘The money was given to the workers in the state and some unsculous staff diverted the funds and they have been directed to return it immediately or face serious consequences.
“I wonder how somebody would deny our workers the stipends we gave them in order to make them financially stable during the Sallah festive season.
“Those who diverted those funds must return them immediately or else we will take serious punitive measures against them.
” We will ensure that the culprits reap what they sowed to serve as a deterrent to others, ” he warned.
Meanwhile, the state government has declared Monday as a public holiday in recognition of the Islamic New Year of Hijrah calendar.
Bawa announced that Monday would be observed as a public holiday throughout the state to enable people of the state to celebrate the new Islamic year 1446AH.
He further stressed the need for the Muslim Ummah to use the new Islamic calendar for a sober reflection and to carry out a self assessment to see where they have gone wrong with a view to making corrections in this new year.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that it is addressing incidents of rail derailment in the country, through proactive measures.
The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali gave the assurance in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
`The recent incidents involving our trains are currently being addressed through proactive measures.
“ a significant number of such incidents were the direct result of incidents of vandalism and criminality along the rail tracks by deviants who do not wish our country well.
“ I wish to also direct that all stakeholders in safe and secure operations in the railway industry should immediately put their best foot forward for continuous service to our people and our dear motherland, “ Alkali said.
Speaking on the July 4 rail derailment between Itakpe in Kogi and Warri in Delta, the Minister said he has directed investigations into the incident, as well as safety and welfare of all passengers on board.
“My attention has been drawn to the reports of derailment of some coaches of a scheduled train service operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) between Itakpe, Kogi State and Warri in Delta State, which happened on July 4.
“Upon receipt news of this unfortunate incident and enquiries made, my observation is that the unfortunate incident did not result in any fatalities.
“The incident occurred at Ujewhu near Abraka in Delta State at about 7.15pm on Thursday night.
“ I have directed the NRC, as the operator, to immediately ensure the safety and welfare of all passengers on board the train, “ he said.
Alkali assured that NRC would evacuate the distressed coaches from the tracks in order to guarantee resumption of services as soon as possible and produce a comprehensive report of the incident for his consideration.
According to him, NRC had commenced steps in the above direction and all indications point to the fact that normalcy was gradually being restored on the service.
The minister sympathised with all persons who were on board the train at the time of the incident and further assured the general public, particularly those patronising the train services of their safety and welfare
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