LASU don, Lai Oso dies minutes after calling wife

A renowned Nigerian Professor of communication, Lai Oso, is dead.

Prof. Oso, was said to be on his way home from Delta State University, Abraka when his vehicle plunged into a river near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State on Saturday evening.

He was said to have called his wife to tell her that he was hungry and that she should get food ready for him to eat at home in Sagamu when the unexpected happened.

He called the wife when they got to Benin on their way from the Delta State University, Abraka where Oso had gone to serve as an external examiner for a doctoral student.

A source, who was at the deceased’s house in Sagamu on Sunday, also said the driver of the vehicle reportedly dozed off on the wheel and the vehicle skidded off the Sagamu-Ore Expressway to plunge into the river.

Oso was sitting in the front with the driver, while three other persons were at the back.

It was gathered that because the deceased and the driver put on seat belts, it was difficult for them to free themselves and get out of the sport utility vehicle. They both died, while those at the back seat survived.

Reacting to the sad news, Team Lead of Platforms Africa, Adeola Yusuf who was a PhD supervisee of Professor Oso, declared that a “huge Library of communication has just been set ablaze.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Professor Oso “is a good man, a father and lecturer to many communication scholars and journalists across the World. One of the pillars of communication at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), and a former Dean of School of Communication, Lagos State University (LASU) who has just three year to his retirement.

“HIs death is a terrible blow to the communication community. A huge communication library has just been set ablaze,” Adeola Yusuf write.

The late UNILAG Mass Communication Graduate, Professor Lai Oso was a Professor of Mass Communication School of Communication, Lagos State University. He was the Dean of the school between 2011 and 2015.

Until his death, he was the current President, Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).

Meanwhile, the family of the late professor has fixed July 13 and 14, this year for the burial ceremony.