The family of the late former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, has debunked claims that he died after attending a party – the video of which has been trending on the social media.
In a statement issued by a cousin to the late professor, Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, the family said the party in question held years ago before the outbreak of the pandemic.
The statement reads: “It has come to our notice, a video trending on social media where late Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe was at a party with his wife, which is now being mischievously presented as a source of his death, they attributed the video clip to source of contracting coronavirus.
“To put the record straight, the trending video was a party attended years ago, even before the emergence of coronavirus, and in addition to this, our father in his life time is also mindful of the virus and cautious of the guidelines and protocols, which necessitated him carrying out many of his academic and social functions among others on zoom/webinar.”
Members of the family have since taken the COVID-19 tests and returned negative results on three occasions.
“To further douse the insinuation of coronavirus as source of his death, the bereaved wife, Mrs Sola Ibidapo-Obe, alongside other family members had thrice presented themselves for coronavirus tests and the results were confirmed negative on each of the medical examination”, the family said.
‘The death and cause is best known to God, who, we as mortal could not question, but to take solace in the Almighty who is a comforter, because before our father’s death he remained bubbling and active,” the statement added.
The family used the medium to express appreciation to symphatizers for standing with them and rendering support at this trying period, praying that God would continue to be with them.
‘We also used this opportunity to appreciate and thank all symphatizers for standing with us and rendering support for us at this trying period and pray that God will continue to guide each and everybody. No doubt it is painful that he left us at 71, but we are also happy that he lived a fulfilled life and we thank God for a life well spent. He came, he saw and he conquered. Finally, we thank other family members across the globe, friends, colleagues and associates, as we commence befitting burial arrangements for our darling father. God bless you abundantly,” concluded
