Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has expressed sadness over the death of Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe who died of COVID-19 at 75.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala took to her official Twitter handle to condole with the family and friends of the late Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of First Technical University, Ibadan and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos. She said:
“I am deeply saddened that we have lost one of Nigeria’s Brightest Stars, my brother Prof Ibidapo-Obe,to Covid19. Prof Chaired the Governing Council of @AUSTNigeria whose Board Of Trustees I chair. Deepest condolences to his family & to Nigeria! May his soul Rest in perfect peace,” she said.
The death of Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe was confirmed in a Sunday statement by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council of First Technical University, Olayinka Balogun.
“With heavy heart, and submission to the will of God I write to inform Council members of the transition to glory of Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, First Technical University, Ibadan which occurred today 03/01/2021.
“I pray for the repose of the soul of the departed.”
Although the statement did not disclose the cause of the death of the academic, reports said he died from COVID-19 complications.
The Unilag vice-chancellor and the chairman of the Academic Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) on the campus, confirmed the death.
Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe 69, was a professor of Applied Mechanics and Systems Engineering, He was the Unilag vice-chancellor between 2000 and 2007. He was born in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and attended Ilesha Grammar School and Igbobi College between 1962 and 1971.