The Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM), has described the death of Prof. Lai Oso of the Department of Mass Communication, Lagos State University, as a blow to the media industry.
The JIFORM President, Dr Ajibola Abayomi, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja expressed shock and sadness over the death of the 67-year-old professor.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oso died in an accident while returning from a conference in Abraka, Delta.
Abayomi said that Osa’s death was a heavy loss to the entire media community both within and outside Nigeria.
He said that the deceased was one of Nigeria’s foremost communications scholars.
“Many of us passed through his diligent tutelage at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta and at several universities and fora. We shall miss him dearly. ”
Abayomi recalled that the deceased served as the guest speaker during the JIFORM National Migration Conference on Feb. 9.
“In fact, I am yet to fully analyse the evergreen paper he delivered.
“In this year of our Lord, a great Iroko in the field of journalism has fallen. The great fountain of knowledge that produced many leaders of men across all walks of life is gone.
“Adieu to my teacher, our teacher, professor of professors, a legendary tutor of Mass Communication across the globe, a brain box and a true friend of the JIFORM.”
He prayed God to give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Oso was the Dean of the school of mass communication LASU, between 2011 and 2015, and President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria.
He was educated at the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and obtained a Ph.D. in Mass Communication as a Federal Government scholar at the University of Leicester, England in 1977.
