Sad day in journalism world: Renowned journalism guru Lai Osho dies in auto crash

A renowned Professor of Masscommunication and journalism teacher, Lai Osho has been reported killed in an auto crash, while he was said to be returning from Delta State to Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital on Saturday night.

Penpushing reports that the death of Osho which hit airwave was unbelievable and shocking to many people across the globe, particularly the journalism world and thousands of his mentees in the noble profession.

The sad news was confirmed by Professor Sunday Olayinka Alawode Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies FCMS, Lagos State University, as well as one of his mentee, Dr Sina Aina in a short statement.

Penpushing further reports that following the sudden exit several condolences have hit the airwave in memory of the late professor, describing the demise as unpalatable and prayed for his gentle soul to rest in perfect peace.

The founder of Penpushing Media, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, who is one of the mentees of the deceased, lamented that he woke up on Sunday morning to hear about the sad development, adding that he finds it difficult to believe

‘I still find it difficult to believe. I just woke up to read this sad and unpalatable news. I became dejected when I called his phone line severally and the phone was switched off. He was one of my journalism mentors’, Kayode-Adedeji wrote

‘A cerebral and authority in journalism, not flamboyant, easy going and simple. If it is true Prof Osho is dead, because I am yet to accept that, may his soul rest in perfect peace. This is a sad day in journalism world’, he added

Penpushing also reports that Professor Sunday Olayinka Alawode, Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies FCMS, Lagos State University, while announcing the death said he was constrained to inform about the death

‘I am constrained to inform us of the involvement of Professor Muraino Olayiwola Oso, (we all fondly called Baba Lai Oso) in a ghastly auto accident which claimed his life yesterday 24th June 2023’, Alawode wrote.

‘It’s a rude shock to all of us even as we commiserate with Mummy Oso, the children and his entire family, the Communication family worldwide, LASU Community and all others. Baba, your sudden exit is painful, but we rest in the comfort that you have gone to be with the Lord.  Rest in Peace. Adieu Baba of the Communication family’, he added.

Penpushing reports that another mentee of the late communication guru, Dr Sina Aina said it was with heavy heart to hear of the sudden and shocking demise of his teacher and mentor who died in a motor accident.

‘It is with a heavy heart but total submission to the will of Almighty God that we announce the passing of our Teacher, Mentor, Guardian, Father and Grand Father; Prof. Muraina Olaiwola Oso. He died last night in a motor accident. May Almighty God accept his return. Please, let’s keep praying for his family and associates’, Aina wrote.

The traditional ruler of Akinale Owu Kingdom of Egbaland, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye said he could not bear the loss of Osho, who was his professional colleague in the media industry, stressing that the demise was too much for him

‘Our forebears and bequeathed culture say Obas don’t mourn. Ah Lord, this is too much for me. In three weeks without respite, I have lost three valuable friends, professional colleagues and traditional ruler co compatriot’, Ogunleye wrote.

‘Olugbayo Ogunleye was my co-reporter in New Nigerian Newspapers late sixties and later both in PR practice. A strong Ekiti high chief passed on not too long ago. My great compatriot, traditional ruler and ace golfer, Oba Sabur Babajide Bakree, didn’t wait for me to return from a medical care trip in the UK before he departed without goodbye’, he stated.

‘Now its my friend and teacher of all teachers, Lai Oso. The man who respected me beyond what I think I am. He was one of those regular in my office as PR leader in the defunct Nigeria Airways between 1976 and 2000’, the royal father stated.

‘Our last discussion was my desire to honour him with a chieftaincy title at my next birthday. Now Lai is no more. May the Lord grants him the peaceful passage and makes his soul to rest in perfect peace.  A f’oju sin e, a pada sehin. Ki Oluwa pa asise Lai re, ki o f’ori jin gbogbo wa o. Odun a jinna si arawon o. God will grant his family and friends the fortitude to bear the loss’, Ogunleye said

Penpushing further reports that, a Public Relations expert, Eddy Ademosu while mourning the death, said Osho’s sudden exit was remorseful and shocking to him, as well as a personal loss to him in many aspects

‘Very remorsefuly, it’s a sad day for me, and I’m still shocked Prof’s sudden demise is a personal loss to me in many respects. He was a consummate mentor/role model, a quintessential teacher and scholar of high repute, a trustworthy brother, and an intimate family friend of many decades’,Ademosu wrote.

As if he was pressed for time, Prof called me 3 weeks ago, seeking after the state of my health, and characteristically urging me to press on with my PhD project.  I will surely miss him, and I pray for the repose of his gentle soul. May the good Lord comfort the immediate bereaved family, his many friends, mentees, students and academic community’, he said

Penpushing further reports that Osho  was former Deputy Rector, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic(MAPOLY), former Dean School of Communication, Lagos State University(LASU), External examiner for Phd  graduands in numerous Nigerian universities, a reputable communication scholar with numerous publications and had earlier worked with Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation(OGBC) and News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) before he became a lecturer in 1981 as one of the pioneer lecturers in Department of Mass Communications, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic(MAPOLY), Abeokuta.

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