Idowu Sowunmi
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday sent condolences to the family of foremost Nigerian Professor of Medicine, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe, who, through diligence and humility, has left a lasting legacy on Nigeria’s health sector and academia.
Also, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, has described the death of renowned medical practitioner as not only a loss to his family, but the entire academic world.
Akinkugbe died in Ibadan on Monday at the age of 87.
The President believed the late Professor Emeritus contributed immensely to the study of medicine in the country, serving variously as Pro-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt; former Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin; and former Dean of Faculty of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, joined the Nigerian Medical Association, government and people of Oyo State, and staff of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan in mourning the renowned scholar who studied and taught at some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including University of London, Balliol College, University of Oxford, England, and Harvard Medical School in Boston.
The President affirmed that the late Akinkugbe would always be remembered for his pioneering roles and contributions to the medical sector, especially the distinguished leadership he provided as Chairman of the Board of Management of University College Hospital, Ibadan, and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Buhari prayed God to accept the soul of the departed, and comfort his family.
Also, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka, while reacting to the death of Akinkugbe, said the academic world would miss the deceased just like the way his family would miss him.
Olayinka, in a statement, described Akinkugbe as a great Nigerian with passion for his country.
“The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, mourns the death of the distinguished administrator, international physician, widely respected medical scientist and a man of many preferment, Late Emeritus Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe, who died at 86 on Monday, 15 June, 2020.
“It is with deep sense of loss but with gratitude to God for a life well spent in selfless service to humanity, that we, at University of Ibadan received the news of the death of late Emeritus Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe today, 15 June, 2020.
“May I, therefore on behalf of Council, Senate, Congregation, Management, Staff and Students of University commiserate with the Akinkugbe family on the death of their illustrious son, uncle, father and elder statesman.
“The exit to eternity of our most beloved Prof, will most certainly create gaps stressing that only recently, he bequeathed his entire library to the University of Ibadan.
“Really, the death of Baba Akinkugbe is not only a loss to his family but the entire academic world who will miss his rich academic and administrative inspiration. It is therefore our prayer that the Good Lord will grant his soul perfect rest,” the statement said.
