Africa’s first professor of Geology, Jamiu Mosobalaje Oyawoye, passed on
The Offa born first professor of Geology in the whole of Africa, Professor Jamiu Mosobalaje Oyawoye has passed on at 96.
Prince Olukitibi Oyawoye, the deceased son, revealed this in the late hours of Monday, May 22, 2023.
The late expert, the Aremo of Offa, was born on 12th of August, 1927 in Offa Town, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Prince Oyawoye became the first Professor of Geology in Africa, at the University of Ibadan — where he served as lecturer between 1960 and 1977, in 1966.
Professor Oyawoye was also among the past chairmen of the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC). He served the council between 1985 – 1988.
Commiserating the educational loss, the Governor of Kwara State AbdurRazaq AbdurRahman described the late father of Geology as a philanthropist and academic achiever whose legacies remain a trailing path for the present and future study in the history of Geology in Africa.
“My heartfelt condolences go to the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, the Olofa-In-Council, the Muslim community in Kwara State for whom he was the Baba Adini, and the Oyawoyes on this sad development.
“Prof. Oyawoye was in a class of his own in philanthropy, academic accomplishments, community service, leadership, and support for national development. He was one of the last men standing, and his death represents a huge void in everything he represented for Offa people, Kwara State, and Nigeria,” the Governor said.
He added, “We find comfort in his fine legacies as the father of Geology in Africa, a powerful Crown Prince of Offa, and a statesman who wielded so much influence and deployed the same for public good. We beseech Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-jannah Firdaus, and keep his family on the right path.”
Also commiserating, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described late Oyawoye as a generous man who gave back to the society and loved by all.
“He was as a kind-hearted and loving man of integrity and father to all and sundry. The late don raised the bar and promoted the images of Offa community, Kwara State and Nigeria at large with outstanding scholarship and reliable mentoring of generations,” the Emir said.
In a another condolence statement, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Eswuoye II, urged the public to keep his memory alive by following the set legacy of possibility by the late Oyawoye.
According to the statement, the monarch said, “Dear all, let us take a moment to honour his memory, to reflect on his life and his achievements, and to draw strength from his example. Let us continue the work that he began, and let us strive to make the world a better place, just as he did. In doing so, we will honor his memory and keep his legacy alive for generations to come.”
