The pioneer vice-chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, is dead.
He was also the vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, and until his death, Ibidapo-Obe, was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of First Technical University, Ibadan, a position he got after serving AE-FUNAI for eight years.
His death was confirmed on Sunday in a statement by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council of First Technical University, Olayinka Balogun.
He said: “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.”
It was gathered that Ibidapo-Obe died from alleged COVID-19 complications, although it wasn’t stated in the release.
Both the Unilag vice-chancellor and the chairman of the Academic Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) on the campus, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and Dele Ashiru respectively, confirmed the death.
According to Mr Ashiru, the late professor had been receiving treatment at an undisclosed Lagos hospital for about 10 days before he was pronounced dead on Sunday evening.
Mr. Ashiru told Premium Times on phone that, “Prof Ibidapo-Obe is dead. He died today from COVID-19-related complications. The late professor’s family has properly briefed us.”
Mr 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.