Though I did not meet the late Prof. Isaac A. Omu in person, I got to know him through his being a member of the International Commission that was set up by UNESCO 1977 to study the problem of communciation round the world. The Commission published its findings 1980 under the title Many Voices, One World. I made a critique of this Report in the MA dissertation that I submitted to the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada November 1982. In the course of my research, it was a joy and a thing of pride to know that a Nigerian Scholar, in person of the late Prof., served on that Commission. The Canadian member of the same Commission, Betty Zimmerman, spoke about him in glowing terms when I interviewed her as part of the research for the dissertation. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Fr. Joseph Oladejo Faniran, Director
Centre for the Study of African Culture and Communication
Catholic Institute of West Africa
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
amioladejoe
From: Toyin Falola <toyin.falola@mail.utexas.edu>
To: USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wed, 27 October, 2010 13:05:48
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Obituary: Fred Omu
Prof Fred Omu dies at 75 years
By O. Igbinosun
IGBIDE-ISOKO - Prof. Frederick Isaac Akporuaro Omu, former Commissioner for Education (1975-1976), Information, Social Development and Sports (1976-78), as well as Trade, Industry and Cooperative's in the defunct Bendel State is dead.
The late Prof. Fred Omu died at the age of 75 years, at Umkal Hospital, Gurgoan, India, after an operation.
A statement from the Omu family of Igbide of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, indicates that the remains of the late Prof. Fred Omu will be interred in his hometown on November 20, 2010, after a commendation service at the University of Benin (UNIBEN ).
Until his death, the late Prof. Fred Omu was renowned for his contributions towards intellectual growth and research in the academia. Having begun his academic career in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 1966, he rose to the rank of Associate Professor and Head of Department of Mass Communication
(1974-1975) of the same university.
In 1980, Prof. Omu joined UNIBEN as Research Professor and in 1982, became Director of Centre for Social, Cultural and Environmental Research and subsequently Dean/Director of Post graduate School, Head of Department of History, (UNIBEN) and University Orator for a decade until his retirement and ill-health.
An alumnus of the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha (1950-54), Prof. Omu became a visiting fellow, University of Aberdeen, Scotland (1966-67). He was Professor of History and became part of history himself.
He is survived by a wife, Rose A. N. Omu, 4 children, a grand daughter and 4 brothers among whom are Ms Sisi O. Omu, Dr. Ajiro N. Omu, Mr. Afieva O. Omu, Ms Kome O. A. Omu (Children) , Prof. Alexander E. Omu, Chief Henri E. Omu, Mr. Herbert S. Omu, Sir Andrew O. Omu (KSC) (Brothers) and Miss Maia A Omu
(grand - daughter).
Burial arrangements as endorsed by Prof. Alexander Omu, and Major-General Paul U. Omu (rtd) on behalf of the family will kick off on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 4.00 p.m. with service of songs at late Prof. Omu's
compound while a commendation service at UNIBEN Auditorium will hold on Friday November 19th. Saturday, November 20 at 10.a.m a service in his honour will take place at St. Phillips Anglican Church, Igbide to be
followed by interment, while on Sunday November 21, thanksgiving service will round off the ceremonies.
IGBIDE-ISOKO - Prof. Frederick Isaac Akporuaro Omu, former Commissioner for Education (1975-1976), Information, Social Development and Sports (1976-78), as well as Trade, Industry and Cooperative's in the defunct Bendel State is dead.
The late Prof. Fred Omu died at the age of 75 years, at Umkal Hospital, Gurgoan, India, after an operation.
A statement from the Omu family of Igbide of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, indicates that the remains of the late Prof. Fred Omu will be interred in his hometown on November 20, 2010, after a commendation service at the University of Benin (UNIBEN ).
Until his death, the late Prof. Fred Omu was renowned for his contributions towards intellectual growth and research in the academia. Having begun his academic career in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 1966, he rose to the rank of Associate Professor and Head of Department of Mass Communication
(1974-1975) of the same university.
In 1980, Prof. Omu joined UNIBEN as Research Professor and in 1982, became Director of Centre for Social, Cultural and Environmental Research and subsequently Dean/Director of Post graduate School, Head of Department of History, (UNIBEN) and University Orator for a decade until his retirement and ill-health.
An alumnus of the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha (1950-54), Prof. Omu became a visiting fellow, University of Aberdeen, Scotland (1966-67). He was Professor of History and became part of history himself.
He is survived by a wife, Rose A. N. Omu, 4 children, a grand daughter and 4 brothers among whom are Ms Sisi O. Omu, Dr. Ajiro N. Omu, Mr. Afieva O. Omu, Ms Kome O. A. Omu (Children) , Prof. Alexander E. Omu, Chief Henri E. Omu, Mr. Herbert S. Omu, Sir Andrew O. Omu (KSC) (Brothers) and Miss Maia A Omu
(grand - daughter).
Burial arrangements as endorsed by Prof. Alexander Omu, and Major-General Paul U. Omu (rtd) on behalf of the family will kick off on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 4.00 p.m. with service of songs at late Prof. Omu's
compound while a commendation service at UNIBEN Auditorium will hold on Friday November 19th. Saturday, November 20 at 10.a.m a service in his honour will take place at St. Phillips Anglican Church, Igbide to be
followed by interment, while on Sunday November 21, thanksgiving service will round off the ceremonies.
--
Toyin Falola
Department of History
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station
Austin, TX 78712-0220
USA
512 475 7224
512 475 7222 (fax)
http://www.toyinfalola.com/
www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa
http://groups.google.com/group/yorubaaffairs
http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
-- Department of History
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station
Austin, TX 78712-0220
USA
512 475 7224
512 475 7222 (fax)
http://www.toyinfalola.com/
www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa
http://groups.google.com/group/yorubaaffairs
http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
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