Late Prof. Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi, SAN.
By Correspondent in Ilorin.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has described as painful and shocking, the death of the Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU), Prof. Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi, SAN.(51).
This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye and made available to newsmen in Ilorin on Sunday.
“We submit to the decree of Allah who gives and takes. It is against that backdrop that we mourn the Vice Chancellor who answered Allah’s call tonight.
“He was a true and humble servant of Allah and we beseech our God, the Oft-Forgiving and Merciful, to grant him al-jannah Firdaus,” the Governor said.
“The professor of law was a colossus, who played the leading role to open a new chapter of academic excellence and greatness for KWASU. Our condolences go to his family, immediate and extended, KWASU, the rest of the academic community, members of the bar and the bench in Kwara State and across the country,” he said
The Emir of Ilorin and Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Mai-Martaba Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, has also expressed sadness over the demise of Akanbi,SAN.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari described the incidence as quite shocking, unfortunate and saddening stressing that the VC’s death is a colossal loss to the people of Ilorin Emirate, Kwarans and humanity at large.
In his condolence message issued by his spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir said:” Inna lillahi Waina Ilaihi Rojihhun. I received the news of the death of Professor Muhammed Akanbi SAN with sadness.
“He was a replica of his late father and pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd) who was until his death, the Wakilin Ilorin Emirate.
“He attained the pinnacle of his legal career to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) as well as the Zenith of academic profession as a Professor of Law and was appointed by the current administration as the 2nd Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Malete all within his youthful age of existence on earth.
“He demonstrated a high level of incorruptibility, hardwork, commitments and dedication to the service of God and humanity at all levels of his private and public engagements. His death is a rude shock and devastating because of what he stood for in the society, as a promising young man whose service, wisdom and commitments is needed for the growth and development of our dear nation.”
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari, however, extended the condolence of the entire members of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council to the government and people of Kwara State, especially, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Governing Council, Management and Students of the University, the people of Ilorin Emirate and beyond, over the irreparable loss.
While commiserating with the families of the deceased,immediate and extended, the Emir prayed Almighty Allah to forgive shortcomings of the deceased, accept his good deeds and admit him into al-janatul firdaos.
Contrubuting, the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, described the death of the Vice Chancellor as a colossal loss to the entire state and beyond.
Danladi-Salihu,who noted that the state had indeed lost one of its brightest minds and youngest Professors in Nigeria,prayed Almighty Allah to comfort the immediate family of the deceased and grant him Aljanat Firdaous.
“We are utterly shocked and devastated to learn about the death of our erudite and exceptional scholar of note in the person of Professor Muhammad Mustapha Akanbi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria who was until his death, the Vice Chancellor of our prestigious university, KWASU.
“Professor Akanbi exhibited precocious talent and achieved a whole lot in his 51 years on this planet earth.
“He climbed the peak of his professional and academic career at a very young age – becoming a full-fledged professor at the age of 41 and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN at 48”
“Professor Akanbi did his best at every point and post he found himself during his sojourn, the latest being his sterling performance at KWASU, where he broke many grounds, including the recent accreditation of Medicine and others for the state university.All these speak to his cerebral nature and a goal getter fellow.
” On behalf of the Kwara State House of Assembly, my sincere condolences to us all over this devastating loss, may Allah repose the soul of our erudite and exceptional Professor Muhammad Mustapha Akanbi, SAN,” he said.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
