Why do caring people who have contributed immeasurably to the welfare of humanity and the overall development of their communities and countries pass on untimely leaving their families, friends and well-wishers in mournful circumstances' Comparatively, why do wicked people seem to live longer in some societies in spite of their evil, mischievous and dastardly deeds than nice and profoundly humane human beings'While anxiously awaiting convincing answers to these knotty but real-life questions, I wish to recall how saddening, disheartening and discomforting I found the news concerning the recent demise of our humane, amiable and unassuming Professor Alfred Opubor.From all indications, if it were possible for all nice and reasonable human beings on earth to live for ever doing what they know how to do best, Opubor possessed all the relevant qualifications to be among this category of special creatures of God..I was shocked and devastated immediately I learnt of his painful exit at the age of 75. And I am sure that many people that knew him when he was alive would readily and openly testify that with his departure from this wicked world, Nigeria, and indeed, the international Mass Communication community, have lost a distinguished personality who can aptly be described as a colossus, especially in his area of specialisation.I recall with profound pride and unshaken nostalgia that my first contact with Opubor was in 1975. I, along with my other classmates, numbering 50, had just registered as fresh students roaring to seriously hit the ground running for a three-year energy-sapping degree programme in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.I was impressed when I first met him. In spite of the fact that he was the only Professor and Head of the Department of Mass Communication, he was very humble. His humility was infectious.Unlike some of his counterparts on campus, he was easily accessible to everybody. Which was why throughout our memorable three-year stay in the department, we had no cause to regret we chose Mass Communication as our course.Unlike the frequent squabbles and riotous situations witnessed regularly in some departments on campus, the Mass Communication department was relatively peaceful. And this was largely due to the very rare sterling leadership qualities exhibited by Opubor who treated both the academic and non-academic staff fairly and without fear or favour.Under his leadership, the students were provided conducive environment to learn and they were never harassed by lecturers. Facilities for teaching and research were adequately provided and this was why the students always excelled like shining stars in their courses. Even in those days, Mass Communication students ended up performing better than their counterparts in non-Mass Communication subjects in joint examinations.Opubor was highly connected both locally and internationally. Those of us that passed through the highly respected University of Lagos and in the process, allowed the Mass Communication course to pass through us will forever cherish the tremendous efforts made by this rare world-acclaimed scholarly scholar to obtain foreign assistance especially from notable global institutions like UNESCO, to complement assistance from the university to ensure the smooth running of the department.He always went to any reasonable extent to ensure the department was adequately funded in all its operational areas so that the graduates produced would be able to perform creditably wherever they are working.Opubor was articulate. He was highly intelligent. He was a fast talker. He was a high ' profile motivational speaker. He was richly endowed with boundless oratorial skills worthy of emulation. He was a role model. He was a professor of professors. Which was why he always distinguished himself distinctively even in a crowd of eminent professors anywhere around the globe.Opubor was always well dressed. Very neat. Respectful and cautious. He was always ready to provide a helping hand. Despite his laudable achievements in life, he never looked down on anybody. He was always accommodating. He never intimidated anybody. Not even his colleagues in the department. He never foisted anybody or his views on others. He was not overbearing. He gave everybody equal opportunities to excel. He could be described as a perfectionist.If distinguished eminent lecturers like Dr Frank Ugboajah, Professor Onuora Nwuneli, the late Dr. Delu Ogunade, the late Mr. Bisi Aborishade, Dr. Adidi Uyo, Dr. Olatunji Dare, Professor Idowu Sobowale and the current Head of Department, Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, could accept to serve, it was in appreciation of the fact that working jointly with Opubor to properly position the department to achieve the cardinal objectives for which it was established, would not be a wasteful exercise after all.It was therefore not surprising that under the able leadership of Opubor, the department was clearly the one to beat by other departments in the entire university during those memorable years.The department, in spite of its limited resources, was always the cynosure of all eyes as Opubor always ensured that the limited resources, including funds, were judiciously used for the overall benefit of the lecturers, the students, as well as the non-academic staff.I recall with pride that during his tenure, the department had functional studio for training students majoring in broadcast journalism and press for students specialising in print journalism. Facilities also existed for students majoring in Advertising and Public Relations, amongst others.During the period, the lecturers were always proud of their students. Also, due to the cordial relationship between the lecturers and the students, the students always felt safe in the hands of their lecturers, especially judging by the fact that even if cases of sexual harassment were common in some departments, such cancerous abominational behavioural traits between lecturers and students never existed in the department during the tenure of Opubor.He was exemplary in his conduct. Which was why we all looked up to him as an exemplary role model that was worthy of emulation in all ramifications.This breezy, graphic, moving, emotional and painful write-up will, however, not be complete without featuring a distinguished woman of substance. A respectable wife, a wonderful mother and a humble personality.From all indications, she was visibly the eldest among members of the Mass Communication Department family during the tenure of our beloved late Head of Department.I still remember vividly Mrs. Dada. Bespectacled, caring and hardworking, she took good care of everybody, irrespective of ethnic or religious inclinations. She was our 'official mother' and she always played this unique role to the satisfaction of everybody.Apart from the fact that she was officially answerable to Opubor who was her boss, she never hesitated to assist in attending promptly to the various challenges facing others in the department.It was inspiring that in spite of the fact that she was older than her immediate boss, she always accorded him due and undiluted respect.She was patriotic. And due to the sacred nature of her duties, being the Confidential Secretary, she always justified the confidence reposed in her.I am sure some of us will never forget the number of times we hurriedly rushed to her office for hot coffee to combat the pressure emanating from the chronically cold lecture rooms as a result of the highly effective airconditioners but in spite of her usually busy schedules, she would readily attend to us with motherly affection.There is no doubt that this woman with very uncommon behavioural traits, also helped in providing the much-desired conducive working environment for Opubor to record resounding achievements as the head of department.It is noteworthy that Opubor lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation by future generations of not only Nigerians but also other Africans on the African Continent.For me, I am very proud to have been opportuned to learn a lot from this disciplined and meticulous Nigerian academic of global repute. It is gladdening and also heartwarming that this great and illustrious Nigerian was Nigeria's first-ever Professor of Mass Communication. It is therefore not surprising that over the years, the University of Lagos Department of Mass Communication remains the best in the country among the crowd of institutions offering this all-important professional course.It is also noteworthy that its products are among the successful frontline media practitioners and communications specialists scattered all over the country and even beyond.To crown it all, Opubor was Africa's first holder of a doctorate degree in Communications.These are landmark achievements that are highly cherished and duly recognised in civilised countries across the globe. But not so in Nigeria where high-profile national awards go to questionable characters and the highest bidders at the expense of tried, tested and trusted world- acclaimed professors among whom was the deceased.However, those of us that knew him will continue to religiously cherish his good works which should not be allowed to die, especially now that he is gone.And so, on behalf of the underlisted members of the 1975-1978 Class, I wish our unique former head of department a peaceful rest as his remains is being interred today. May God give his beloved wife and his loving children the fortitude to bear the monumental loss.Michael Akpan, John Araka, Ayoola Aremu, Daniel Esiekpe, Nick Fadugba, Najeem Jimoh, James Jukwey, Lewis Obi, Austin Mowah, John Ndukauba, Abiodun Lewis, Kayode Odetayo, Timothy Olunuga, Olayiwola Oso, Adebayo Adedeji, Oladipo Adegbite, Hameed Adio, Godwin Agbroko, Adeogun Ajala, Sunday Ajayi, Toyin Akanle, Chudi Anyaeji, Olusegun Aribike, Ayotunde Awobiyi, Victor Ayeni, Abidun Balogun, Nadir Bashir-Bello, Coral Dafinone, Paul Idahosa, Bamidele Ige, Isaac Ighure, Samson Iwere, Olanrewaju Kamson, Bolaji Kareem, Olusegun Ladipo, Glenn Masokoane, Babatope Obilana, Kofoworola Olayinka, Maureen Omene, Olufunmilayo Sosanya, Stella Tonwe, Gloria Dua-Sakyi and Emmanuel Nwuko.
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