The University of Benin (UNIBEN) flag will again fly at half mast in honour of its first indigenous former Vice Chancellor, Emeritus Prof. Osayuki Godwin Oshodin.

The incident that occurred on Sunday morning, comes barely two months after the exit of the first female Vice Chancellor of the institution, Emeritus Prof. Grace Alele-Williams who passed at 89.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Lilian Salami gave the directive when the Principal Officers of the institution paid the bereaved family of Oshodin a condolence visit on Sunday.

Oshodin, the Professor of health education, passed at 71 on Sunday morning after a brief illness, according to his younger brother,
Mr Christopher Oshiodin.

A statement that emanated from the Public Relations Unit of the 51-year-old University on Sunday, said the same protocol that was observed recently for Alele-Williams will be accorded Oshodin in addition to ‘a condolence register which is ‘being opened’ in honour of the deceased.

The statement said the VC who led the high powered delegation, described the departed former Vice Chancellor described the occurrence as shocking.

Part of the statement read, “In the meantime, a condolence register is being opened at the Vice Chancellor’s Office while the Uniben flag will again fly at half mast. The same protocol was observed recently following the passing of Professor Grace Alele-Williams, the first female Vice-Chancellor .

It said, “Professor Salami, on behalf of the UNIBEN Community, urged the Oshodin family to be consoled that the loss is a general one affecting the family, the University, and the Benin nation because Professor Oshodin loomed large as a great unifier of his people”.

While praying God to grant his soul eternity, Prof. Salami, eulogised Professor Oshodin, a scion of Oloke’s family in Benin as “a great mentor, a compassionate father, erudite teacher and astute Administrator whose tenure witnessed a great turn around for the University in terms of infrastructure development and welfare of staff as well as students”, according to the statement.

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