Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has mourned the death of renowned communication scholar, veteran journalist and former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, describing his passing as a great loss to Nigeria.

Sobowale died on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the age of 85.

In a condolence statement issued by his media office, Amosun said the late professor’s death was a significant loss to the media industry, academia and the country, given his contributions to journalism, communication scholarship and education.

Amosun recalled that Sobowale had a distinguished career at Daily Times of Nigeria Limited, where he served as a war correspondent and assistant editor between 1964 and 1975.

According to the former governor, the late scholar made notable contributions to the development of journalism in Nigeria, including the introduction of opinion polling into the country’s media practice.

He described Sobowale as an accomplished teacher and scholar whose intellectual contributions and mentorship shaped generations of students and communication professionals.

The former governor also highlighted the deceased’s contributions to the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), where he served as chairman and later as life chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Beyond journalism and academia, Sobowale served as Lagos State Commissioner for Education between 1999 and 2003, a role through which he further contributed to the development of education in the country.

He was a recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 23rd edition of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence.

Reflecting on his personal relationship with the deceased, Amosun described him as a man of noble character who was friendly, accommodating and pleasant to be around.

“His passing is therefore not only a loss to the media and academic communities, but also a personal loss to those of us who had the privilege of knowing him beyond his professional accomplishments,” the former governor said.

Amosun recalled that their paths crossed in the late 1980s and early 1990s when they were neighbours in the Gbagada area of Lagos State, noting that Sobowale’s personal qualities left a lasting impression on him.

The former governor extended his condolences to the Sobowale family, particularly his wife and children, as well as members of the media and communication communities and others mourning the scholar’s death.

He prayed that Almighty God would grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family, friends, colleagues and associates the strength to bear the loss.