OAU professor dies after falling ill during meeting

A professor in the Department of Philosophy at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in the Ile-Ife area of Osun State, Olanipekun Famakinwa, has been confirmed dead.

The OAU management confirmed Famakinwa’s death via a statement issued by the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olanrewaju, on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

Olanrewaju disclosed that Professor Famakinwa took ill during a departmental meeting and was immediately rushed to the OAU Health and Medical Centre on Wednesday, March 5.

He said the doctors at the medical centre referred the professor to OAU Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, where he was confirmed dead.

The OAU spokesman stated: “The entire academic community of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of a Professor in the Department of Philosophy.

“Professor Jimoh Olanipekun Famakinwa who was, during a departmental meeting this morning, (Wednesday, 5th day of March, 2025), was noticed breathing ‘abnormally’ by his colleagues and was immediately rushed to the University Health and Medical Centre.

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“Upon prompt medical examination by the team of doctors on duty, he was referred to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), also in Ile-Ife, where he was pronounced B.I.D.

“The corpse has been deposited at the Department of Anatomy of the University.”

Olanrewaju added that the OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Simeon Bamire, led other members of his management team to the widow and children of the deceased on a condolence visit.

He quoted the OAU VC as urging Famakinwa’s family members to take solace in the fact that the late professor lived a fulfilled life of positive impact on those who were fortunate to come across him.

Bamire prayed that God would grant the immediate family, the Department of Philosophy, the Faculty of Arts, and the entire university community the fortitude to bear the loss.

The Star