The authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU),is in mourning mood over the death of two of its senior academics within 48hrs and at the climax of its 44th convocation.
While a Professor of Pediatrics,Professor Jerome Elusiyan,was killed by unknown gunmen two days ago in Benin the Edo state capital,the University today also lost another promising academic,Dr Victoria Oluwaremilekun Adeniyi.
She was until her death early this morning,the Acting head,Department of Dramatic Arts of Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife.
Public relations officer of the University,Abiodun Olsnrewaju said in a release that,”less than forty eight hours after we lost a Professor of Paediatrics, Professor Jerome Elusiyan, to the cold hands of death through the instrumentality of unknown gunmen, it is too painful for us as a University to tearfully break the unpalatable news of the demise of another promising academic and a prominent member of OAU community, Dr. Victoria Oluwaremilekun Adeniyi, who, until her death early this morning was the Acting Head, Department of Dramatic Arts of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife.”
The university spokesman stated that the deceased lecturer, who Directed this year’s Convocation play which was staged four days ago, was also yesterday, a part of the academic procession of the grand finale of the University’s 44th Convocation.
He disclosed that the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, who was visibly unhappy, had visited the University’s Teaching Hospital and directed that necessary papers be filled for the conduct of a post mortem.
It will be recalled that late Professor Elusiyan,51,was killed last Friday on his way back to Benin from Ambrose Alli University,Ekpoma,where he was hoping to pass a night before coming to I’ve on Saturday.
He was attacked and killed by some unknown gunmen while his driver survived with bullet wounds.
When journalists visited the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital,Ile Ife,a condolence register has been opened at the administrative buildings.
At his residence located at Orange area in Ile Ife,sympathisers were seen in their numbers .they want government to find lasting solution to the security challenges facing the country.
Professor Elusiyan,an indigene of Oke-Igbo in On do state was a professor of Pediatrics and the chairman, medical advisory council of the OAUTHC.
He delivered his inaugural lecture on the 24th of September 2019 at the Obafemi Awolowo University.
It was gathered that his first son recently gained admission into a university.
On her part,Dr Adeniyi,a mother of four, just got her Doctorate degree in Dramatic arts four days ago during the last 44th convocation of the university.
She was described by her students as one of the most hardworking lecturers in the department.
“She would be very hard to replace.she was also a good mother to many of her students and those who came in contact with her. She has the milk of human kindness in her as she is always ready to solve problems when approached” remarked Foyinsola Abatan,one of her former students.
