FUTA mourns as former VC, Prof Daramola, dies at 64

The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has expressed shock at the sudden death of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Adebiyi Gregory Daramola.

In a statement from the University signed by its Registrar, Richard Arifalo, said the University received the news of the demise of Daramola with shock and sadness, saying FUTA has lost one of the builders and contributors to the growth and development of the institution.

According to Arifalo, Nigeria has lost an erudite scholar of international standing who exited the world at a time that his experience was in dire need for nation-building.

Prof. Daramola who served as sixth Substantive Vice Chancellor of FUTA between May 2012 and May 2017 died on Friday March 25, 2022 in the course of an illness at the age of 64.

The statement said “The death is shocking and painful not just because of its suddenness but also because by the death FUTA has lost one of the builders of and contributors to the growth and development of our institution and Nigeria has lost an erudite scholar of international standing.

“Prof. Daramola served FUTA creditably well in various capacities. During his tenure as Vice Chancellor he consolidated on the gains of his predecessors and charted new frontiers of development particularly in the areas of rebranding, internationalization and renewal of critical infrastructure.

“He succeeded in “Taking FUTA to the Market Place” as he canvassed in his agenda for development of the University, prior to and after taking office as Vice Chancellor.”

He said “Prof. Daramola, attended University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Nigeria for Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc., 1980).

Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Ibadan, Nigeria for Masters and Doctorate degrees in Agricultural Economics (M.Sc., 1982 & PhD, 1987).

“He started his career in FUTA   in 1986 serving in various positions thereafter. He was appointed Professor of Agricultural Economics on October 1,1999.

“Between 1990 and 1991 he was a Postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Advanced Training in Agricultural Economics, Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351, Australia.

“During his lifetime Professor Daramola undertook many diverse engagements for many national and international organizations. and also served as Chairman, Committee of Vice Chancellors (CVC) and Association of Vice Chancellor of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), two positions he held concurrently between 2015 and 2017.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with members of his family at this very difficult time.

We also enjoin them to take solace in the rich and laudable legacies of sterling services to the academic world and humanity that the departed erudite professor left behind.

“We pray that God will give them and the entire university community the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement read.

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