Sekinat Salam-Opebiyi, Abeokuta
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council has mourned the death of a renowned Professor of communication in Nigeria, Lai Oso
The Union in a statement said it received the news with great shock, saying it has thrown the media industry into mourning, having lost a great teacher and father figure.
The NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju and his Secretary, Comrade Bunmi Adigun, called on the Nigerian government to improve road infrastructure to save lives.
According to the NUJ, such bad roads have led to the loss of many Nigerians
“Every individual who read Mass Communication or any related media courses must have passed through Professor Oso’s pool of knowledge as he made himself available to teach, nurture and breed media icons, who today have excelled in the industry.”
Also, the Lagos state chapter of NUJ in a statement described the passing of Professor Oso as shocking and devastating.
The Council Chairman, Adeleye Ajayi and Secretary, Tunde Olalere, said Professor Oso would be remembered for his good student-teacher relations and humility.
A lecturer at the Crescent University, Abeokuta, Jamiu Folarin said Professor Oso is very much alive, as his impact and meaningful existence have given rise to countless human lives, which will continue to flourish.
“I firmly believe that there is no other living or deceased academic in Nigeria who has played such a pivotal role in fostering the emergence of communication scholars across various educational levels, ranging from ND, HND, BSc, MPhil, PhD, and Professorship.
“This impact will persist even after his eventual passing. From the southern to the northern parts of Nigeria, as well as different regions of Africa and the world, he serves as an academic father figure to many,” Folarin said.
According to him, he said he now understood the essence of a prayer from one of his spiritual teachers: “May you never die.” I aspire to live on, much like late Professor Lai Oso, through the lives he has impacted and the everlasting remembrance of his invaluable contributions.
“Professor Lai Oso’s enduring impact and everlasting memory will forever be etched in his dedicated service to humanity.”
Professor Oso, of the Faculty of Communications and Media Studies, Lagos State University, LASU, lost his life in an auto crash at the weekend, while returning from Delta State University, where he had served as an external examiner at the Department of Mass Communication.
The Late Oso was an erstwhile President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria.
The 67-year-old Professor Lai Oso would be laid to rest on July 14, 2023, in his hometown, Sagamu, Ogun state, South West Nigeria.
PIAK
