Prof. Lai Oso, one of Nigeria’s foremost scholars and professor of Mass Communication at Lagos State University (LASU) is dead. He was aged 67.
Oso died on Saturday evening in a ghastly accident while returning from a conference in Abraka, Delta State. The fatal accident occurred at the Ijebu axis of the Ore-Sagamu expressway.
His death has been confirmed by the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, LASU, Professor Sunday Olayinka Alawode.
Alawode wrote: “Good morning family. I am constrained to inform us of the involvement of Professor Muraino Olayiwola OSO, (we all fondly called Baba Lai Oso) in a ghastly auto accident which claimed his life yesterday 24th June 2023.
“It’s a rude shock to all of us even as we commiserate with Mummy Oso, the children and his entire family, the Communication family worldwide, LASU Community and all others.
“Baba, your sudden exit is painful, but we rest in the comfort that you have gone to be with the Lord. Rest in Peace. Adieu Baba of the Communication family.”
Oso, a Professor of Mass Communication School of Communication, Lagos State University, was the Dean of the school between 2011 and 2015. He was President, Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria.
He was educated at the University of Lagos (B.Sc. Mass Communication), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (M.Sc. International Relations) and obtained a Ph.D. degree in Mass Communication as a Federal Government scholar at the University of Leicester, England in 1977.
Oso worked as a Reporter in Radio and the News Agency of Nigeria and also taught courses in Journalism, Media and Governance, Political Communication, Development Communication and Theory.
Oso, as he is fondly called, will be sorely missed by the university community. He has been described as a humble and generous man of exemplary good character, loved by many.
Some of the books written by the late communications expert include ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ and ‘News Writing and Reporting’.
