Reactions have continued to trail the death of Lai Oso one of Nigeria’s foremost Communications scholars and a professor of Communications at the Lagos State University (LASU) in an auto crash.
Aged 67, Oso, a former Dean of the School of Communication Studies at the Lagos State University, died on Saturday in an auto-crash along Ore-Sagamu Expressway on his way from Abaraka, Delta State.
The late erudite scholar was returning from Delta State University where he is an external examiner at the Department of Mass Communication.
His death was confirmed by different sources in the School of Communication Studies, LASU.
An associate, Mr. Akin Okudero, the Founder of PR PRIMUS, in his reaction, said, “Prof Lai Oso, a mentor is no more. A PR quintessential communicator and scholar is gone.
“The birth of your Image PR Programme on television was through your great support 9 years ago and you have never rested without giving your intellectual input always.
Okudero described the late Oso further, “You were my teacher, brother and friend. You lived a life of sacrifice, lifting men and yet remained humble and compassionate. A giant is gone. We can’t question God!
In his reaction to the sudden death of Prof. Lai Oso, a Public Relations expert and Group Executive Officer of MC-Clique Brands Associates, Mr. Edward Ademosu said Saturday remains a sad day, saying news of his death shocked him.
Describing Oso’s death as a personal loss in many respects, Ademosu said wrote, “A consummate mentor/role model, a quintessential teacher and scholar of high repute, a trustworthy brother, and an intimate family friend of many decades.”
“As if he was pressed for time, Prof called me 3 weeks ago, seeking after the state of my health, and characteristically urging me to press on with my PhD project.
He added, “I will surely miss him, and I pray for the repose of his gentle soul.
May the good Lord comfort the immediate bereaved family, his many friends, mentees, students and the academic community. Adieu Prof Lai Oso.”
In the same vein, a Media Professional and Public Relations practitioner, Mr Ayo Arowojolu, said the deceased will be missed by many of his associates, scores of Professionals that passed through the communications school of Prof. Lai Oso.
He said, “Lai Oso in his lifetime, was a good man, very sincere and he avoided confrontation with anyone. He rallies round mentees and upcoming media professionals.
“A scholar of repute, a communication teacher is gone. The vacuum left behind is almost “un-fillable”.
“He was my External Examiner in one Mass Communication programme I did last year in October. He was always willing to identify with us young ones. He will be sorely missed!
Arowojolu, who is the initiator and Convener of Boiling Point Arena, a monthly discourse on governance and national development, prayed to God to accept the soul of the departed and grant him eternal rest.
Mr. Kunle Adeshina, a top civil servant, a former student of Oso and Chairman of the Association Of Mass Communication Graduates of the Ogun State Polytechnic now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic described the sudden death of Prof. Lai Oso as devastating to himself and members of the association that passed through the tutelage of the deceased over 3 decades ago.
He said, “It was very saddening and devastating to learn of the untimely death of our former lecturer and very cerebral academic, Professor Lai Osho.
“An Iroko tree has fallen in the academic communication field creating a big vacuum which would be very difficult to fill.
“We, however, take solace in the fact that Prof. Oso came, saw and conquered in his chosen field. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”
“Lord have mercy! Not news l want to hear this morning. Prof. Lai Osho. Damn it,” said veteran journalist, Richard Akinnola on his Facebook wall.
“Prof. Lai Oso, a Professor of Mass Communication, my teacher in 1987 at Mass Communication, Ogun State Polytechnic is gone. When I met you in Lagos at the JIFORM lecture in Feb. 2023 and sat side by side with you, as keynote Speaker and myself as Guest Speaker, I never knew that would be my last time seeing you.
“Adieu!!! A great mentor, teacher and friend. May your soul rest in perfect peace,” Abdulrahman Balogun, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Media Relations Officer wrote on his Facebook wall.
