“The death of Ibidapo-Obe is one of shock of epic proportion to me. Even now, I am unable to process the news that came filtering in late afternoon of January 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.”
These are the words of a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Peter Okebukola, mourning the death of a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe.
According to him, they were so close that they undertook many great strides together.
Okebukola further noted in a statement: “His impressive leadership qualities and eminence of scholarship attracted him to me and along with Professor 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.
“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 on December 9, 2020 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, we had drawn up plans for 2021 but God had other plans of taking him home. Nigeria has lost a university administrator of special ilk and a scholar of immense lustre. I lost a friend and brother. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Ibidapo-Obe died on Sunday at the age of 71.
He was said to have died of coronavirus-related complications.
Apart from being vice chancellor in two other universities, he was, until his death, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the First Technical University, Ibadan.
