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EDITORIAL April 9, 2021
Prof Idowu Sobowale, renowned
educationist at 80
Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale,
described as a “teacher of teachers”,
administrator par excellence, astute
manager of men and resources and an
opinion leader, is a veritable example of
how a man can make significant and far-
reaching contributions to the development
of his country without necessarily occupying
any high office.
Professor Sobowale is not a politician, nor
did fate ever draft him into the office of the
vice chancellor of any university, a position
he is eminently qualified to occupy. But his
name has gone down history as one of the
founding fathers of the Lagos State
University, LASU.
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Before his forays into education, Sobowale
had a distinguished career as a journalist.
Born March 29, 1941 in Ashipa, a small
town near Abeokuta, of a humble
background, he began his elementary
education in 1954 at the age of 14.
I am happy and grateful that God cre…
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 Timeswho gave him a job in the
newspaper.
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He later attended the University of Lagos,
UNILAG, from where he earned a Diploma
and BA (HONS) degree in Mass
Communication. In 1975, he left the Daily
Times to join UNILAG as assistant lecturer
in the Institute of Mass Communication.
After one year at UNILAG, Sobowale left for
Syracuse University, USA, for his Master’s
degree. He returned in 1978 with a PhD,
specialising in Scientific Journalism.
From UNILAG, Idowu Sobowale introduced
Opinion Polling to Nigerian journalism by
establishing a public opinion polling desk at
The PunchNewspapers under the
leadership of Mr. Sam Amuka. He later
became a Special Assistant to the former
Governor of Lagos State, the late Alhaji
Lateef Jakande. According to Professor
Abisogun Leigh, a former Vice Chancellor of
LASU, there were two people who
instigated the idea of establishing LASU:
Idowu Sobowale and the late Professor
Femi Agbalajobi.
Between 1999 and 2003, Sobowale served
as the Lagos State Commissioner for
Education. Later, he was appointed a
Professor of Journalism by the Lagos State
University. Idowu Sobowale became the
pioneer Dean of LASU School of
Communication (2004-2007). After his
tenure, he moved on to the Olabisi
Onabanjo University in his home state,
Ogun. For his contributions to national
development, former President of Nigeria,
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, decorated him
with the Officer of the Order of the Niger
(OON).
At the age of 80, we wish Professor Idowu
Sobowale more years ahead in good health
and greater prosperity.
Vanguard News Nigeria
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