By
The saying that the fruit-bearing tree does not stay long in the forest appears to be true on the devastating news of the demise of revered Prof. Lai Oso, a distinguished Professor of Mass Communication at the Lagos State University, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.
I rarely do not press my phone in the morning to check mails and WhatsApp messages but I failed to, perhaps because it was a weekend and had woken up late.
After coming out of the bathroom, I put on my data, WhatsApp messages started pouring in and as usual individual chats are prioritized before group chats. Out of that, I opened Mr Raheem Akintunde’s chat first and Gosh! the common “breaking” phrase of bloggers popped up, only to read Prof. Lai Oso died in an auto accident last night.
I could not believe my eyes, immediately I dialled my friend’s line, Dr Hassan Olalekan who is like Prof. Oso’s Personal Assistant at LASU. As soon as the line was engaged at the other end, I knew tragedy has struck. When the call was later picked up, the sad news was confirmed to me in tears.
I could remember the last phone call you made to me a day after the 2023 general elections, congratulating me on my boss’s electoral victory, saying “Now that your oga has won his election, will you come and finish your PhD”. I remember I told you that very day that I used to tell people that you do not delay your supervisees like some others do.
There is no day I consult you on my work in the Faculty that you don’t offer me a free ride back home, even with witty discussions on the way. You were always urging me to finish up on time and cross to the Academia.
Sadly, my fatherly teacher and supervisor is gone! May your soul rest in the bosom of the Lord.
Adieu, Prof.
