Gbenro Adesina
Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Akoka, Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, has died on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at the age of 71.
It was gathered that he died of COVID-19 complications.
Prof Obe, attended Ilesa Grammar School and Igbobi College 1962-1968 and the University of Lagos from 1968-1971 where he obtained a B.Sc. Hons in Mathematics (First Class) in 1971. He also obtained M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science in 1973 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil Engineering with specialisation in Applied Mechanics/Systems in 1976 both from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Prof. Obe was a Commonwealth Scholar (Canada) (1972-1976); an NSERC/CIDA (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council/Canadian International Development Agency and a Senior Fulbright Research Scholar (1980 – 1981). He served the University of Lagos from 1 October 1972 as a Graduate Assistant through 1976 as Lecturer Grade II till 1983 as Professor. He also served as head of Engineering Analysis Unit (1991 – 1995) and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University (1995-1999).
In April 2000, Prof Obe was appointed deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos and later became the vice-chancellor by May 1, 2002. He was the chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and was awarded the Best Vice Chancellor’s Prize (2004 and 2005) for the Nigerian University System (NUS).
Prof Obe was the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State and the pioneer pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council of the First Technical University, Ibadan. He was the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science from 2009 to 2013.
He was born on July 5, 1949. He married Olusola on December 20, 1975 and had 4 children. He held the prestigious traditional title of the Apeluwa of Ile-Ife, and was conferred with the national honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian Government in 2004.
