The Nigeria Society for Criminology (NSC) has described the death of the First Nigerian Professor of Criminology and Member Presidential advisory Council on anti-corruption, Professor Femi Odekunle as a major loss to the academic community.
A release signed by the Secretary, Board of Trustees of NSC, Professor Hauwau Evelyn Yusuf decribed the foremost criminologist as a fearless, upright and exemplary scholar whose influence in the fieldrofe traverses continents of the world.
“The Nigerian Academic and intellectual community, has once again lost one of it’s own, an iconic Professor, Professor Femi Odekunle. The first Professor of Criminology in Nigeria, the chairman, board of trustees (BOT) of the Nigeria Society of Criminology and a member of the presidential advisory committee against corruption has passed to the great beyond. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and may God forgive his sins and give the family and the nation the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost.”
Until his death Professor Odekunle was the Chairman Board of Trustees of Nigeria Society for Criminology.
“With a heavy heart but with total submission to God almighty I announce the passing of Prof Femi Odekunle (1st Professor of Criminology in Nigeria and the Chairman BOT of NSC) which sad event occurred this evening. May his soul rest in peace. Our sincere condolence to us all.”
Reacting to his death former Deputy Vice Chancellor University of Ibadan Professor Adeyinka Abideen Aderinto described the death a very sad development for Nigeria, the criminology family and the global intellectual community.
“Very sad. Thorough academic, frank and kind. He was my PhD external examiner in 1996 and we remained close till his glorious transition. I pray that the Almighty God accept his return and grant his soul eternal rest. May He comfort friends and family he left behind the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
Another foremost criminologist, Professor Omololu Soyombo described Professor Odekunle’s death as a colossal loss.
“What a loss! Very unexpected! We should take solace in the fact that he was a distinguished criminologist and a great scholar who made immense contribution to the development of Criminology. Until his death, he continued to do what he knew how to do through research, advocacy and policy advice. He left an indelible mark. May God grant him eternal rest and comfort his biological family, as well as his academic family”.
