Former ABU, UNILORIN vice-chancellor, Akinkugbe dies at 86 | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
16th June 2020
Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe is dead.
The deceased who was a foremost Nigerian Professor of Medicine at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, died in the city on Monday aged 86.
He spent not less than 60 years of his life practicing medicine.
In his lifetime, he was a former Vice-Chancellor at both Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).
He also served as Pro-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt and was a former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
He studied and taught at some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including the University of London, Balliol College, University of Oxford England and Harvard Medical School Boston, USA.
He was Chairman, Vesta Healthcare Partners and Chairman of the Presidential Projects Implementation Committee (PPIC) on refurbishing of Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria.
He was also a chairman of the Board of Management of University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria and one-time Chairman of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
While in service at Ibadan, he pioneered the establishment of two critical clinics, one in hypertension and the other in renal disorders at the UCH, Ibadan. Both clinics were firsts in Africa.
After retirement, the emeritus professor established his own clinic, the Ibadan Hypertension Clinic, which he managed for 20 years.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka has mourned the death of the man he described as a distinguished administrator, international physician, widely respected medical scientist and a man of many preferment.
The VC said “It is with deep sense of loss but with gratitude to God for a life well spent in selfless service to humanity, that we, at the University of Ibadan received the news of the death of Late Emeritus Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe today, 15 June, 2020. May I, therefore on behalf of Council, Senate, Congregation, Management, Staff and Students of the University commiserate with the Akinkugbe family on the death of their illustrious son, uncle, father and elderstateman.
The Vice-Chancellor described the late Professor Akinkugbe as a great Nigerian with passion for his country.
Olayinka further said “the exit to eternity of our most beloved Prof, will most certainly create gaps stressing that only recently, he bequeathed his entire library to the University of Ibadan.
“Really, the death of Baba Akinkugbe is not only a loss to his family but the entire academic world who will miss his rich academic and administrative inspiration.”
He noted that in observing the rite of passage for our most respected Professor, “we take solace in the fact that he left behind great legacies which will keep his memory eternally.”
“It is therefore our prayer that the Good Lord will grant his soul perfect rest.”