A prominent member of Penpushing Platform and a journalism icon, Prof Idowu Sobowale has been reported dead on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at age of 85.
Penpushing reports that the family is a statement through Richard Adeyinka Emmanuel confirmed the demise of the renowned journalism scholar, and chairman at the maiden edition of Penpushing Media annual anniversary lecture.
“My father, Pa Deacon Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, OON, 85, joined the saints triumphant this morning, October 8, 2026. Details of his funeral rites to be announced by the family soon’, Emmanuel wrote,
Penpushing further reports that the deceased born in Ashipa near Abeokuta, Ogun State, started his career at the Daily Times where the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose gave him his first job, and was one of Nigeria’s most influential figures in journalism, communication research and education administration.
The late Sobowale was former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, and in academia, he was twice acting head of the Mass Communication Department at University of Lagos (UNILAG), before helping to conceptualise the establishment of Lagos State University, (LASU), in 1983.
Penpushing also reports that he became Professor of Communication Studies at Lagos State University (LASU) and served as the pioneer Dean of the Lagos State University (LASU) School of Communication (2004-2007).
The deceased later served as Dean at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, and Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, named its Faculty of Communication and Media Studies in his honour.
Penpushing reports that he served in public administration as Special Adviser on Education to former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and later as Commissioner for Education under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu between 1999 and 2003.
The deceased for his contributions to national development, was decorated with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and was Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), which instituted the biennial Idowu Sobowale International Conference in his honour to celebrate his contributions to media and governance scholarship.
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
