Our VC Died Of Cardiac Arrest, UNILAG Clarifies

LAGOS, May 14, (THEWILL) - Late vice chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe, who passed on Saturday morning at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), died of cardiac arrest, authorities of the Akoka institution have clarified.

The clarification was closely followed by a lamentation on the timing of the revered professor’s passing away, a time when the university is preparing for the celebration of its golden jubilee.

“According to hospital sources, Professor A. B. Sofoluwe suffered a heart attack while in his office at the Department of Computer Science but managed to call his doctor from the Medical Centre, who came to his rescue and brought him to the Medical Centre in an ambulance and subsequently transferred him to LUTH where he was diagnosed as having Myocardial Infarction,” a press release by the information unit of the university’s public affairs department, revealed.

The statement regretted that although he was resuscitated and then transferred to the High Dependency Unit in Ward E8 of LUTH, he suffered a second attack. “Unfortunately, he suffered a second heart attack and all efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Post mortem examination has since been carried out and this has confirmed the cause of death to be of cardiac origin.”

Meanwhile, all faculties of the institution have concluded plans to hold a candle light procession in honour of the departed Professor Sofoluwe.

In a meeting with principal officers of the university on Sunday 13th May, which was chaired by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services) Professor R. A. Bello, student presidents of the faculties fixed the procession for Tuesday 15th May.

Onanuga Adewale, President of the Faculty of Social Sciences, said students would converge on the Senate Building by 6pm and then head to Jaja Hall and Medical Centre through Ransome Kuti Road.

“The procession is expected to terminate at the Senate Building, where prayers will be offered for the repose of the soul of the departed vice chancellor,” he added.

The university has also set up a high-powered Burial Committee, headed by the deputy vice chancellor (academic and research), Professor Babajide Alo.

Also, authorities have declared a three-day mourning period from Monday, 14th May to Wednesday, 16th May, effectively cancelling all statutory meetings and other university activities at its three campuses.

Written by Oyede Saheed