Alexander Okere, Benin

The immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, in Edo State, Prof. Cordelia Agbebaku, has passed on at the age of 55.

Prof. Agbebaku, who hailed form Esan South-West Local Government Area of the state, was said to have died on Thursday evening at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.


It was also learnt that she had been ill for some time.

Her death was said to have left the university community in shock as the late professor only ended her tenure in 2016.

The Public Relations Officer of the university, Edward Aihevba, confirmed her death to our correspondent on Friday.

“Yes, we heard the news very late yesterday (Thursday) and it has been confirmed (that) it is true. The whole thing has left the university in shock and everybody is downcast,” he told our correspondent on the telephone.

He also said that a delegation, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ignatius Animawo, had paid a visit to the family of the deceased.

“But at the moment, the Vice-Chancellor and the management team are paying a visit to the family. It is only after all that that there will be any statement at all,” he added.

Born in 1961, the professor of Law, had served as an acting vice-chancellor before her substantive appointment by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole on February 10, 2014.

Before her appointment, she was the Dean of the Faculty of Law.

The late academic is survived by her husband, Prof. Philip Agbebaku of the Department of Political Science in the university and children.

In a statement, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State described her death as not only shocking but also capable of living the university community with a considerable trauma.

The governor through a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, however, urged the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the late vice-chancellor contributed to the development of education in the state.

http://www.9jamember.com.ng/2017/02/18/ex-aau-vc-dies-55-obaseki-mourns/