Posted by By RAZAQ BAMIDELE and NKIRU EVONGWA on
Professor of Law and former Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Jadesola Akande, is dead. She passed on early Tuesday in her sleep at her Ikoyi, Lagos residence. She was 67 years.
Professor of Law and former Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Jadesola Akande, is dead. She passed on early Tuesday in her sleep at her Ikoyi, Lagos residence. She was 67 years.
An academic and activist, Akande was until her death the Executive Director, Women, Law and Development Centre (WLDCN) as well as chairperson of PRONACO Women's Forum.
Born on November 15, 1940, Akande attended People's Girls School, Ibadan (1945-52), St. Annes School, Ibadan (1953-57) and University of London, England (1960-63) and (1969-71).
She was first called to English Bar in London, in 1964, before she was later called to Bar in Nigeria in 1965. Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has paid a condolence visit to the Ikoyi residence of Professor Akande. While signing the condolence register, Fashola described the death as shocking, particularly coming at a time the nation was still mourning the demise of Pa Abraham Adesanya, who died last Sunday.
While praying for the repose of the soul of the academic and human rights activist, the governor said: 'She would be missed for her commitment to the rule of law and judicial reform."
On his part, Gov Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State, praised Akande for her invaluable contribution to nation building and development of law.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Lasisi Olagunju, Oyinlola said her death was a colossal loss not only to Yoruba but to the entire nation.
According to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, the late Professor Akande was a true leader, patriotic Nigerian and erudite scholar, saying that her death was a rude shock.
The National Publicity Secretary of Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, prayed God to spare the Yoruba nation of death of its elders.
The spokesperson of the pro-National Conference (PRONACO), Mr Wale Okuniyi, said the entire democratic movement would miss Prof. Akande, who he said was 'a fearless contributor to the renewed effort at reforming Nigerian polity."
Also reacting, the President of the Campaign for Democracy, (CD) Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, expressed shock at the sudden death of the woman she described as 'true leader, committed, focused, tested and trusted." She expressed regret that 'Nigeria has lost yet another veteran and great asset."
Also expressing shock over the death, a foremost estate consultant, Chief Tesilimi Adeola Almaroof, described the late professor as a true activist and a legal icon whose exit was a colossal loss to the nation.
According to him, the late professor, would forever be remembered for her courage and the discipline she introduced into educational system during her tenure as the vice chancellor of LASU.
'It is painful that Mama died at a time the country needs her most," he noted.