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Adetutu Sobowale
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and the former governor, Gbenga Daniel said they received the news of the death of renowned professor of Geography, Akin Mabogunje, who died on Thursday with great shock and a saddened heart.
The two leaders stated that Mabogunje was dedicated towards the development of Ogun state and would be greatly missed.
Abiodun in a statement released in Abeokuta by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kunle Somorin, described Prof. Mabogunje as a symbol of Ogun standard of excellence who dedicated his life to the quest for a better Nigeria and one of the best social scientists the nation has had.
Born, October 18, 1931 in Kano of Ijebu parents, Prof Mabogunje was the first African president of the International Geographical Union. In 1999, he was the first African to be elected as a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences
Abiodun said “he belongs to the generation of scholars who put research and human development to heart. Prof Mabogunje was a disciplinarian, a man of unimpeachable pedigree and a first class nationalist, scholar and one of our greatests assets in academia.”
“A rare gem, an intellectual of prodigious hue, who was also a loving father who would stop at nothing to ensure the welfare of his children, members of her immediate community and society at large.
“He made positive impacts not only in the number of social scientists he mentored but in the content and context of development in the continent. Our physical and urban planners have lost an inspiring leader and pioneer. He will be greatly missed”.
“I commiserate with the immediate family and friends of the great humanist, especially, his bosom friend, former President Olusegun Obasanjo. I know this is indeed a trying period for them. It is my prayer that the Almighty God will grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss”, the statement concluded
In his statement, Daniel stated that the late Mabogunje lived a fulfilled life.
He said “I received with shock the demise of renowned geographer and erudite scholar, Professor Akin Mabogunje.
“Mabogunje, who was Nigeria’s first Professor of Geography and first African President of the International Geographical Union, was an academic colossus, brilliant town-planning expert and celebrated public servant.
“I recall that he was the pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago-Iwoye. He equally demonstrated professional competence in several spheres at both national and international levels.
“During my service as Governor of Ogun State, he was instrumental to some of our significant policy initiatives, including the Lagos-Ogun Megacity projects as well as the 25-Year Regional Development Masterplan. I remain eternally grateful for his humanitarian services.
“While the late Prof. Mabogunje will be greatly missed by all, I take solace that he lived a fulfilled life.
“I pray to God Almighty to repose to the soul of the departed and give his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable passing.”
