ABEOKUTA – Media practitioners and communication scholars, yesterday, paid tributes to late Prof. Lai Oso of the Faculty of Communications and Media Studies, Lagos State University (LASU).
The 67-year-old don died in a car accident at the weekend, while returning from Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, where he had served as an external examiner at the Department of Mass Communication.
Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, Prof. Umaru Pate, said: “It is a painful and sad reality that we have to accept that our brother, mentor, colleague and leader, Prof. Lai Oso, has died in a ghastly road accident. Let’s take heart, as we try to adjust to the reality of the permanent physical absence of our highly respected intellectual giant, Prof. Oso. It is a collective loss of immense proportion. Please, I enjoin us to take heart and await additional details from the family and LASU, Adieu brother, Prof. Oso.”
Similarly, former chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council, Quassim Akinreti mourned: “What a loss to the academia. Very humble and progressive mind is gone. He always encouraged me to retire to the academia. My condolences to all.”
The departed was erstwhile president of Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).
Also, the chapter registered its condolences.
In a statement yesterday in Nigeria’s economic capital, signed by the chairman and secretary, Adeleye Ajayi and Tunde Olalere, Lagos NUJ described Oso’s passing as shocking and devastating.
The body said: “The news of death of Prof. Oso in a motor accident while returning from Abraka, Delta State on Saturday, was very devastating.
“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 the communications circle, but also in all academic spheres. May the soul of our dear lecturer, friend and mentor rest in peace.”
A former lecturer at the department of Mass Communication, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Dr. Sulaimon Osho recalled how the late Professor got him employed in 1994.
Osho, an Islamic scholar took to his social media handle and wrote “Every Ileya Festival…I go to Professor Lai Oso family with bowls of fried Ileya meats…next Wednesday is another…the Mental Giant has exited…Shed tears.
“The Mental Giant, Professor Muraino Olayiwola Oso is not dead…He lives in all of us his students spread in all the continents of the world. The titan lives on.”
An advertising guru, and a mass communication lecturer from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Dr. Wasiu Tejuoso described late Oso as a library of Communication.
Tejuoso said “Most sad, most tragic and most unfortunate. My Great teacher, father, career confidant/mentor, boss, inspirer, motivator, benefactor, guardian, and defender is gone. A library of Communication has just been set ablaze. A Colossus is gone. Prof. Laiwola Muraino Oso, why now? Why like this? Just three years to crown everything, you left us without notice. Three days ago, we spoke; never knew it was gonna be our last conversation. What a world of vanity! May God Almighty Grant Professor Muraino Lai Oso Aljanna Firdaus, Ameen. You died a martyr; a conqueror, a champion. Who will replace you?”
Also, the Publisher and Chairman, Board of Editorial, The Encounter News, Otunba Eddy Ademosu affirmed that the death of the Professor of Mass Communication remains a personal loss to him.
Ademosu wrote: “Very remorsefuly, it’s a sad day for me, and I’m still shocked. Prof’s sudden demise is a personal loss to me in many respects.
“He was a consummate mentor/role model, a quintessential teacher and scholar of high repute, a trustworthy brother, and an intimate family friend of many decades.
“As if he was pressed for time, Prof called me 3 weeks ago, seeking after the state of my health, and characteristically urging me to press on with my PhD project.
“I will surely miss him, and I pray for the repose of his gentle soul.
May the good Lord comfort the immediate bereaved family, his many friends, mentees, students and academic community.
ADIEU PROF LAI OSO
