The Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Adebola Babatunde Ekanola, has commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari, family, friends, associates and other Nigerians on the death of the late Provost Marshall of the Nigerian Army, Brig. General Olatunji Luqman Olayinka, who died with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), late Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, and other nine gallant officers in the ill-fated military plane crash in Kaduna, on Friday.
Olayinka, 51, who hailed from Ikorodu, Lagos State, was an MPhil/PhD student in the Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies, Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies.
A statement by the University’s Director of Public Communication, Olatunji Oladejo, quoted the Acting VC as describing Olayinka, as a highly cerebral, diligent, disciplined and focused officer, who was interested in using strategic studies to address security challenges in Nigeria.
Ekanola offered prayers and sympathies to the security family in Nigeria, saying the death of the fallen heroes was a huge loss to Nigeria.
He said, “Brig. General Olayinka and others laid their lives for peace, security and unity of Nigeria. They would be remembered for their contributions to making Nigeria better than they met it. Today, this grief has touched us all. We must share the pain together. This loss is just as much ours. It is from dust that we come and to the dust we shall return. His death is a great loss to his family, Nigerian Army, University of Ibadan and the country generally”.
“On behalf of Council, Senate, Congregation, Management, Staff and Students of the University of Ibadan, I condole the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Visitor to the University of Ibadan, family and good people of Nigeria on this unfortunate incident. May God rest their souls in peace. Amen”, he added.
Meanwhile, the institution’s Flag will complement the National Flag of Nigeria to be flown at half-mast on the campus for three days beginning from Monday, May 24, 2021 till Wednesday to honour the departed souls as ordered by the President.
