Milestone

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Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka, professor of literature, playwright, poet, Nobel Laureate and political activist, 79, July 13. Born in Isara, Ijebu-REMO, Ogun State, he was educated at the University College, now University of Ibadan and the University of Leeds, England. He was a lecturer in English, University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife; senior lecturer and acting head, department of English, University of Lagos, and director, School of Drama, University of Ibadan. Soyinka was also co-editor, Orpheus magazine, 1961-1964; literary editor, Orisun Acting Editions. He was a visiting professor in drama at Sheffield University, England, and the University of Ghana. Soyinka was pioneer chairman, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC. He has written many books, plays and poems. He became the first African Nobel laureate in literature in 1986.

Fidet Okhiria, director, mechanical, Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, 51, July 13. Born in Iruekpen, Ekpoma in Edo State, he was educated at the Ujeolen Grammar School, Ujeolen, Ekpoma, 1973-1977; Federal School of Arts and Science, Mubi, Adamawa State, 1978-1979; Advanced Teachers’ College, Igueben, Esan Central local government area, Edo State, 1979-1981; University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, 1981-1985, and Nigerian Institute of Instrument Engineering, 1986-1987.

Janet Ajibola Akinrefon, retired assistant controller, Nigeria Customs Service, 63, July 14. Born in Edunabon, Ife North local government area of Osun State, she attended Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro, 1967-1971, and Morgan State University, Baltimore, United States, US, where she earned first and second degrees in 1980 and 1982. She joined the Nigeria Customs Service in 1988 and served in many commands including Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports, Lagos, Akure, Port Harcourt, Area One, Lilipond and Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos.

Adebayo Sarumi, technocrat and administrator, 69, July 6. Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, he attended Progressive Day School, Ibadan; Aiyedade Grammar School, Ikire; Government College, Ibadan; University of Ibadan; Delft University, Olde Delft, Netherlands; World Trade Institute and World Trade Centre, New York. He was appointed general manager, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, 1973; managing director, Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, 1996. He is also the former managing director of the NPA.

Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, professor of engineering and former vice-chancellor, University of Lagos, 64, July 5. Born in Ilesa, Osun State, he was educated at Africn Church School, Ebute-Metta, 1955-1961 and Ilesa Grammar School, 1962-1966; Igbobi College, Yaba, 1966-1968; University of Lagos, 1968-1971, and University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 1972-1976. Ibidapo-Obe was appointed planning officer, British Petroluem Nigeria Limited, 1971; graduate assistant, University of Lagos, 1971; lecturer/senior lecturer, University of Lagos, 1976-1983; associate professor, University of Lagos, 1983-1984; professor of engineering, 1984; chairman, presidential committee on Brain Drain, 1988. Ibidapo-Obe is an associate member, Anambra Academy of Mechanics; member, Institution of Electrical and Mechanical engineers among others.

Compiled by Anayo Ezugwu 

— Jul. 15, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT

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