CITIZENS COMPASS – THREE years to his retirement, a renowned Professor of communication, Lai Oso, is dead.
His death was announced by Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS), Lagos State University, Professor Sunday Alawode, in a statement on Sunday.
He described Oso’s death as a rude shock.
Oso, according to two of his students, Idris Mohammed and Wasiu Tejuoso, died in an autocrash in Ijebu axis along Ore-Sagamu expressway on Saturday evening.
“He was coming from Delta State University (DELSU) where he was an external examiner at the department of Mass communication. The car he was travelling in approached Ijebu axis on the expressway before it plunged into a river,” said another student.
Reacting to the sad news, Team Lead of Platforms Africa, Adeola Yusuf who was a PhD supervisee of Professor Oso, declared that a “huge Library of communication has just been set ablaze.”
Professor Oso “is a good man, a father and lecturer to many communication scholars and journalists across the World. One of the pillars of communication at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), and a former Dean of School of Communication, Lagos State University (LASU) who has just three years to his retirement.
“HIs death is a terrible blow to the communication community. A huge communication library has just been set ablaze,” Adeola Yusuf write.
Professor Alawode, corroborating Yusuf’s view, commemorated with Oso’s wife , the children and the global communication family.
“It’s a rude shock to all of us even as we commiserate with Mummy Oso, the children and his entire family, the Communication family worldwide, LASU Community and all others,” he wrote.
Idris Mohammed, another student wrote on Facebook; “It s with great sadness and heavy heart that I bring to you the passing away of our very own Professor Lai Oso of the Mass Communication Department, Lagos State University in the evening today as a result of a ghastly accident on his way back to Lagos from Abaraka, Delta State.
“He was a humble and generous man of exemplary good character.
Goodnight Prof.!!
NUJ mourns
Joining the mourners of Prof Lai Oso is the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Council.
In a statement signed by Adeleke Ajayi (Chairman) and Tunde Olakere (Secretary), on Sunday, the Council said, T”he Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Counci with heavy heart mourn the death of erudite Mass Communication Lecturer, Prof. Lai Oso.
“The news of the death of Prof. Oso in a motor accident while returning from Abraka, Delta State on Saturday, was very devastating.
” Oso, a Professor of Development Communication was a Lecturer of many successful journalists.
“Prof Oso was a Lecturer at the Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta where he rose to become Head of Mass Communication Department and the Deputy Rector.
” He taught for many years at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State and also the Lagos State University.
” He was at a time the Dean, School of Communication Studies, Lagos State University.
“Prof Oso will be remembered for his good student-teacher relations and humble behaviour.
” He was always ready to assist his students and colleagues.
“His death remains a big blow not only in communication circle but in all academic spheres.
” May the soul of our dear lecturer, friend and mentor, Prof. Oso rest in peace.”
