Nigeria’s journalism and communication community has been thrown into mourning following the death of renowned communication scholar, journalist, and administrator, Prof. Deacon Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, at the age of 85.
Sobowale, widely regarded as a mentor to generations of journalists and communication scholars, died on Thursday morning.
The news of his death was announced by Dr. Akinniyi Sowunmi, who described the development as a major loss to Nigeria’s communication and journalism community.
The cause of death was not disclosed.
Born on March 29, 1941, in Ashipa, a small community near Abeokuta in Ogun State, Sobowale had a career that spanned journalism, academia, media administration and public service.
Sowunmi, in his statement announcing the death, described the late scholar as an iconic and charismatic communication lecturer and administrator, noting his distinctive appearance, including his trademark Herbert Macaulay-style moustache.
He described the development as “a sad day for the Communication community in Nigeria.”
Sobowale’s entry into journalism was somewhat unconventional.
He began his formal education at the age of 14 and eventually obtained his school leaving certificate from Lagos Baptist Academy in 1964.
After completing his secondary education, he worked briefly as a sanitary inspector with the Lagos State Government.
His career trajectory changed when the late former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, introduced him to the renowned journalist and former editor, the late Babatunde Jose.
The meeting reportedly opened the door to journalism for the young Sobowale, who left his sanitation job and joined the newsroom of the Daily Times.
That decision marked the beginning of a career that would eventually take him from journalism into higher education, media scholarship, and administration.
Sobowale later proceeded to the University of Lagos, where he obtained both a diploma and a degree.
He subsequently travelled to the United States for postgraduate studies at Syracuse University, where he earned master’s and doctoral degrees in Scientific Journalism.
His academic career later saw him become a prominent figure in communication education in Nigeria, combining classroom teaching with practical experience from the newsroom.
He was particularly influential in training journalists and communication students, earning recognition as a mentor to generations of professionals in the media industry.
Sobowale was also associated with the early efforts that culminated in the establishment of Lagos State University.
He and Prof. Femi Igbalajobi were said to have initiated moves towards the establishment of the university.
Following the establishment of the institution, Sobowale became the pioneer Dean of the School of Communication at Lagos State University, serving from 2004 to 2007.
He subsequently served as a visiting lecturer at several universities, further extending his influence in communication education across Nigeria.
One of Sobowale’s notable contributions to journalism was his pioneering use of vox populi, commonly known as vox pop, as a tool for gathering public opinion for political reporting.
The approach involved obtaining views from members of the public on topical issues and incorporating their perspectives into news reports.
The method became particularly popular in Nigerian newspaper journalism, with The Punch among the newspapers that embraced the approach.
Through his teaching and professional work, Sobowale helped bridge the gap between academic communication theory and practical journalism.
Beyond journalism and academia, Sobowale also served in public office as a commissioner in Lagos State.
His contributions to the communication profession and public service earned him the national honour of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON), conferred during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Until his death, he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).
His death therefore marks the end of a career that cut across the newsroom, classroom, public administration and professional leadership.
For many journalists and communication scholars, his legacy lies not only in his academic work and professional achievements but also in the generations of media practitioners and scholars he influenced.
Dr Sowunmi said further details concerning the funeral arrangements would be announced by the family in due course.
