Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has mourned the passing of renowned communication scholar, veteran journalist Professor Idowu Sobowale, who passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the age of 85.
Penpushing reports that Amosun in a condolence message described the death of Prof. Sobowale, a former Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, as a great loss to the communication and media community, the academia and Nigeria
‘As a veteran journalist, Prof. Sobowale had a distinguished career with the Daily Times of Nigeria Limited, where he served as a War Correspondent and Assistant Editor from 1964 to 1975’, he wrote.
‘During this period, he made notable contributions to the development of journalism practice in Nigeria, including the introduction of opinion polling into Nigeria media practice’, Amosun added.
Penpushing further reports that he said ‘as an academic, the deceased was a great teacher, scholar and renowned Professor of Journalism whose intellectual contributions and mentorship impacted generations of students and scholars who passed through his tutelage.
‘He was also a pioneering figure in the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), where he served as Chairman and subsequently Life Chairman of the Board of Trustees, contributing significantly to the growth and professional development of communication scholarship in Nigeria’, he stated.
‘Beyond journalism and academia, Prof. Sobowale also discharged himself credibly when he served as Commissioner for Education in Lagos State from 1999 to 2003.’, the statement read
‘A recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 23rd Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), Prof. Sobowale will be remembered for his distinguished contributions to journalism, communication scholarship and education in Nigeria’.
“On a more personal note, I remember Prof. Idowu Sobowale as a man of noble character—friendly, accommodating and always pleasant to be with. He exhibited these sterling qualities when our paths crossed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when we were neighbours in the Gbagada area of Lagos State’, Amosun stated.
“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’, he added
Penpushing also reports that Amosun extended his heartfelt condolences to the Sobowale family, particularly his wife and children, as well as the media and communication community and all those mourning the passing of the distinguished scholar and journalist.
The former Governor prayed that Almighty God would grant Sobowale eternal rest and give his loved ones, friends, colleagues and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
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