All is now set for the burial ceremony of Professor Emeritus Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, UNIBEN.
In the burial arrangements by the family sighted by CAMPUS GIST, the late University administrator will be laid to rest in Benin City on Saturday 20th August (today).
But this will be after a Funeral Service at the Rev. Emokpae Memorial Baptist Church, in Benin City at 10:00AM. According to the arrangements, the interment is strictly for family members only.
The ceremony will come to a close with a Thanksgiving Service at the Rev. Emokpae Memorial Baptist Church on Sunday 21st August by 10:00AM, followed by entertainment of guests at Horatio Marquee, Edo Hotel, GRA, Benin City.
Earlier on Friday 19th August, 2022, a commendation service was organised by the University of Benin in honour of her first indigenous Vice Chancellor of Benin extraction.
The service was attended by the wife of the deceased who is also the immediate past Registrar of UNIBEN, Mrs Otasowie Oshodin; children, and family members of Oshodin.
Members of the University management team led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami; former Vice Chancellors of the institution, Professor Emerita graced the ceremony.
The event also attracted visiting Vice Chancellors including VCs of Igbinedion University, Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, University of Delta, Agbor, Prof. (Mrs) Stella Chiemeke; and Rector, Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, amongst others.
Some striking union members and staff of the University defied the ongoing strike by university unions to pay their last respect to the man who had been termed “Uniben unifier”.
In his sermon, the officiating minister eulogised the deceased for being a good and upright man, touching the lives of many, putting food on their table by taking their bread winners off the Labour market.
He asked the gathering to pray to God and ask for the grace to “die well”. His mind words about Oshodin was met with a loud minute-long ovation for the deceased by the gathering.
Meanwhile, at the ceremony, a compendium of tributes which was published by the University in honour of her late former VC, was formally distributed to the family and attendees.
Late Professor Emeritus Oshodin, the UNIBEN 8th substantive Vice Chancellor, died early Sunday morning 29th May, 2022, in Benin City, at 71, after a brief illness.
Until his demise, Prof. Oshodin was married to Mrs Otasowie, immediate past Registrar of UNIBEN. He was at last year’s Convocation of the University unveiled as Professor Emeritus.
Photos from the UNIBEN commendation service below;
