ABEOKUTA – Clarifications have emerged regarding the purported passing of former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, following a wave of social media tributes that triggered widespread panic within national political circles and the Nigerian public.
Rigorous verification and statements from close family members, political associates, and official channels have confirmed that the veteran journalist, national honor recipient (CFR), and elder statesman is “alive, healthy, and in excellent condition.”
The digital panic was sparked by a classic case of mistaken identity following the genuine and deeply mourned passing of another prominent Nigerian sharing a nearly identical name—Dr. Samuel Olusegun Osoba. The distinguished economic historian, political economist, and Chairman of the Yusufu Bala Usman Institute passed away peacefully on Wednesday at his residence in Ijebu Ode at the age of 92.
A Case of Mistaken Identity in the Digital Age
The rumor mill began churning at a frantic pace after official obituary notices for “Dr. Samuel Olusegun Osoba” were shared by the academic institute. Given the former Governor’s massive nationwide profile as a founding father of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a titan of Nigerian journalism, several digital commentators and social media users prematurely broadcast condolence messages, erroneously assuming the “Akinrogun of Egbaland” and “Aremo Awujale of Ijebu” had died.
However, sources within the Osoba household and the Ogun State government swiftly moved to still the waters. Chief Osoba, 86, who governed the Gateway State during the Third Republic (1992–1993) and again from 1999 to 2003, was active in his residence, fielding countless phone calls from anxious well-wishers and political leaders. Insiders confirmed he has remained robustly engaged in contemporary political affairs, including recent high-level strategic consultations regarding Ogun State’s 2027 transition plans.
Honoring a Departed Intellectual, Celebrating a Living Legend
While the former Governor remains in high spirits, the academic community is mourning the actual deceased, Dr. Samuel Olusegun Osoba. A statement signed by the Director of the Yusufu Bala Usman Institute, Norma Perchonock, expressed heavy hearts but immense gratitude for a life lived in service of scholarship and humanity.
The late Dr. Osoba was a groundbreaking intellectual at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), widely celebrated for co-authoring the historic The Minority Report and Draft Constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1976) alongside the legendary Professor Yusufu Bala Usman. His work strictly interrogated the structures of capitalism and neo-colonialism to chart a path toward true national emancipation.
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Reacting to the mix-up, a close political aide to the former Governor lamented the pitfalls of modern digital reporting.
”Chief Olusegun Osoba is a living legend and a journalists’ journalist. It is unfortunate that in the digital age, the desire for speed often overrides factual accuracy. We urge the public and media practitioners to honor the extraordinary legacy of the deceased Dr. Osoba while respecting the life, health, and peace of mind of the former Governor and his family.”
This incident highlights a recurring, dangerous trend within the Nigerian digital landscape, where identical or similar names frequently trigger unverified “fake news” regarding the demise of elder statesmen. Media practitioners and social media influencers have been strongly urged to exercise greater caution, thorough fact-checking, and contextual reporting before publishing sensitive announcements.
