The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), has described the death of the immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Felix Oladele, as a sad loss to the entire University community, members of his family and others who have come across him one way or the other.

Prof. Oladele died at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) in the early hours of last Wednesday (March 30, 2016) following a brief illness. In his condolence message to members of the University Community and the Oladele family, Prof. Ambali noted that the late Professor of Plant Biology "contributed immensely to the research pursuit of the University of Ilorin, especially through the STEP-B Project".

According to the Vice-Chancellor, "Prof. Oladele was well-focused, very just and result-oriented. He will be sorely missed by everybody within the University community especially those who worked very closely with him both at the Central Administration, the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RTI) and the scientific community within and outside Nigeria."

In an emotion-laden voice, Prof. Ambali also described the late Prof. Oladele as "a very religious person, a caring family man and a good scientist." The Vice-Chancellor then wished the late scientist eternal rest, adding, "We also pray Almighty God to give the family he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss while assuring them that we are with them in prayers."

In his own reaction, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RTI), Prof. Gabriel Olatunji described the death of his immediate past predecessor as "sudden and shocking", recalling how close the two of them have been since the past 30 years or so. The DVC RTI, who prayed for the peaceful repose of Prof. Oladele's soul, said, "Prof. Oladele was wonderful, he was a gentleman, he never made trouble with anybody, ...yesterday we were all shocked but that is the decision of God and all of us should take solace in God almighty that whatever He has designed and has ordained will come to pass."

On his part, the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Dada Obafemi, who described Prof. Oladele's demise as a great loss to the University, said his positive impacts will remain indelible in the minds of members of the University community. He then prayed Almighty God to grant the departed soul peaceful repose and his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Born in Ilesha, Osun State on July 8, 1949, the late Prof. Oladele joined the services of the University of Ilorin in 1976 as a Graduate Assistant. He was promoted to the rank of Senior Lecturer in 1986 and became a Professor of Plant Biology in 1995.

The late scholar delivered his Inaugural Lecture, entitled "The only one we have", on November 7, 2002. He was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RTI) on June 19, 2012. He is survived by his wife and children.