The Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) has described the passage of Professor Lai Oso of the Department of Mass Communication of the Lagos State University as the departure of the greatest media mentor and brain in Nigeria saying his death was a dangerous blow on the media and academic sectors.
A statement issued by the President of the JIFORM, Dr Ajibola Abayomi, expressed shock and sadness over the death of the 67 years old professor reported to have died in an accident while returning from a conference in Abraka, Delta State.
Ajibola lamented that his death was a heavy loss to the entire media community both within and outside Nigeria. “How do we reconcile this? That one of Nigeria’s foremost Communications scholars and a professor of Communications have gone just like that?
“The death has hit us with a dangerous blow beyond our marrow. Many of us passed through his diligent tutelage at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, several universities and at different fora. We shall miss him dearly.
“He was there for us as the guest speaker of the JIFORM National Migration Conference on February 9, this year; in fact I am yet to fully analyze the ever green paper he delivered.
“In this year of our Lord, a great Iroko tree in the field of journalism has fallen. The great fountain of knowledge that produced many leaders of men across all walks of life is gone to be with his creator in eternity, where we shall meet and part no more.
“Adieu to my teacher, our teacher, professor of professors, a legendary tutor of Mass Communication across the globe, a brain box and a true friend of the JIFORM. He has drawn the curtain in this painful season. What a tragedy to behold at a time the nation needs him most to help stabilize the renewed hope agenda. May God in his infinite mercy give his family the fortitude to bear this heavy loss.”
Oso was the Dean of the school between 2011 and 2015. He was President of the Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).
He was educated at the University of Lagos (B.Sc. Mass Communication), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (M.Sc. International Relations) and obtained a Ph.D. degree in Mass Communication as a Federal Government scholar at the University of Leicester, England in 1977.