By Funmi Falobi
Greatest Akokites,
How do you say goodnight to someone who is a father of fathers and a mentor of mentors?- A man, who is first and foremost, an Akokite, and who went on to leave an indelible mark on Nigerian journalism, communication education, public service and the lives of generations of scholars and professionals.
It is with a heavy heart that, on behalf of the President Worldwide, Engr Ifeoluwa Oyedele, FAEng, National Executive Council (NEC), and the teeming league of his protégés and mentees, to announce the passing of a distinguished alumnus, renowned media professional, scholar, institution builder, public servant and exemplary leader — Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, OON.
For us as Akokites, his passing is not simply the loss of a towering figure in journalism and academia. It is the loss of one of our own; a father, mentor and elder whose life’s journey reflected the enduring values of excellence, service, leadership and intellectual distinction.
He was one of us.- And what a distinguished Akokite he was; An exceptional intellect, Professor Sobowale, who came from humble background, began his elementary education in 1954 at the age of 14.
He attended the Lagos Baptist Academy, graduating in 1964. Later, he was employed by the Lagos City Council as a health inspector – a job he did for only six days because he met by chance the late Chief Bisi Onabanjo, a fellow alumnus of Baptist Academy and first elected Governor of Ogun State. Chief Bisi Onabanjo introduced Sobowale to Mr. Babatunde Jose, the editor of the Daily Times who gave him a job in the newspaper. He was one of the pioneer students of the Daily Times Training School, where trainees were expected to undergo 12 months of training before being deployed to the newsroom. He distinguished himself so remarkably that, after only two months, the Australian Director recommended that he be deployed immediately.
That early recognition of his exceptional ability would become a recurring feature of a remarkable life of scholarship, journalism, leadership and service.
He proceeded to the University of Lagos, where he obtained a Diploma and a BA (Hons) degree in Mass Communication. In 1975, he left the Daily Times to join the University of Lagos as an Assistant Lecturer at the Institute of Mass Communication. A year later, he proceeded to Syracuse University in the United States for his Master’s degree and returned in 1978 with a PhD, specialising in Precision or Scientific Journalism.
Professor Sobowale did not merely acquire knowledge; he transformed knowledge into institutions, ideas and opportunities for others.
While at the University of Lagos, he introduced opinion polling to Nigerian journalism by establishing a Public Opinion Polling Desk at The Punch under the leadership of Mr Sam Amuka. A firm believer in the collaboration between the Town and the Gown, he moved seamlessly between scholarship, professional practice and public service. He served as Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and later, in between 1999 and 2003, Sobowale served as the Lagos State Commissioner for Education.
He was appointed a Professor of Journalism by the Lagos State University, and then became the pioneer Dean of LASU School of Communication (2004-2007). After his tenure, he moved on to the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State to develop the postgraduate programme in Mass Communication and then helped to pioneer the Mass Comm department of Covenant University. The College of Communication and Media Studies at Caleb University, Lagos, was also named in his honour.
A recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, his pioneering contributions to journalism, communication education and public service earned him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) from the Federal Government under the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during the Fourth Republic.
Yet, beyond the degrees, titles, offices and honours lies perhaps the most enduring part of his legacy: the people he influenced and the institutions he helped build.
He taught. He mentored. He led. He challenged. He opened doors.
And he left behind generations of journalists, academics, communication professionals and public servants who are themselves part of the legacy he created.
At this moment of grief, we pray that the Almighty will comfort his family, friends, former students, colleagues, associates and the entire Akokite and communication communities.
VIEWPOINT: GOOD NIGHT PROFESSOR SOBOWALE BY FUNMI FALOBI
Good night, Sir, Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, OON — distinguished Akokite, teacher, mentor, father and builder.
Funmi Falobi is the National Publicity Secretary, University of Lagos-Alumni Association
