News

Tinubu mourns newspaper columnist, Prof. Ayo Olukotun

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has described the death of renowned political scientist and columnist, Prof. Ayo Olukotun, as sad and shocking.

Tinubu said Olukotun, who he described as a friend, was a public intellectual who made useful contributions to national development through regular interventions in public discourse.

The APC presidential flag-bearer stated that the late professor would be missed particularly at this time when the deceased deep knowledge and political experience is needed ahead of the 2023 general election.

He said this via a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Tunde Rahman.

Tinubu said: “The news of the passing on Wednesday of erudite scholar and fine columnist, Prof. Ayo Olukotun, is shocking and saddening. Coming at the start of the New Year, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Prof. Olukotun made invaluable contributions to public discourse and helped shape public opinion and policy through his regular interventions via his newspaper columns.

READ ALSO: Truck crushes 2 Air Force officers to death in Kwara

“His deep, incisive, and penetrating columns won him plaudits. Prof. Olukotun was a friend I first encountered as a writer and journalist before becoming a university don. His writings initially at the Daily Times, Guardian, and in later days on the Back Page of The Punch every Friday were a go-to for me.

“On those pages, he not only gave constructive dissection of public policies, issues, and developments but also offered ideas that can engender redemption.

“I commiserate with his family and pray that God Almighty comfort them over this unfortunate passing. I mourn with his colleagues in the academia and media profession. This death rankles all of us.

“My condolences must also go to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and the people of the state and of course to the Awujale of Ijebuland, HRH Oba Sikiru Adetona for the late scholar was the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance, Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

“May his soul Rest In Peace,” he stated.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Kaduna govt revokes sale of houses within legacy schools

Kaduna State Governo, Senator Uba Sani, has revoked all previous sales of institutional houses and…

11 hours ago

Nigeria Customs exceeds target, rakes in N1.75trn revenue in Q1’25

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collected N1.75 trillion as revenue for the first quarter…

11 hours ago

IMF: Nigeria’s 2025 economic growth to decline to 3.0%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Nigeria’s economic growth will decline to 3.0…

12 hours ago

Police: Accidental gun discharge, not explosion, killed 12-year-old boy in Kaduna

A 12-year-old boy has been confirmed dead in a suspected accidental discharge of a dane…

14 hours ago

22-year-old man to die by hanging for killing stepmother, sister

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a 22-year-old man, Sagiru Rijiyar-Zaki, to death by…

16 hours ago

Court sentences man to death by hanging for killing 3 family members

The Kano State High Court, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, sentenced a man, Salisu Idris,…

16 hours ago