Death Of Atare Otite: DELSU VC, Ogege, ASUU React

By Daniel Dafe

Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Professor Andy Egwunyenga has reacted to the death of the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Atare Otite.

The don, a professor of Political Science with specialization in contemporary political analysis, development and gender studies, died over the weekend in Eku.

The late professor is said to have died at about 8p.m. on Friday.

According to a source, he died after returning from the University of Delta, Agbor, UNIDEL, where he was doing his sabbatical.

The source continued: “He was on his way from Agbor when he got symptoms that his blood pressure was high and so he stopped at Obiaruku to do a little medical checkup which confirmed that his blood pressure was high.

ALSO READ: Two Men In Delta To Spend Ten Years Behind Bars For Illegal Possession Of Firearms

“He drove to his residence in Eku where he took some drugs but after sometime, he had to go to the hospital since his case worsened. He was taken to the government hospital where he died.”

The source revealed that it looks like a case of high blood pressure culminating in cardiac arrest, adding: “He was at the Faculty to pick up something before he rushed home. He may have survived if he rushed to the Health Centre and not drive home first.”

Reacting to the shocking news, the VC, wrote: “I received the sad news of Professor Otite’s demise an hour ago.  The University has lost one of its pioneer academics.  His service was very distinguished in every organ of the University; Senate, Council, Union, and the Faculties.”

Continuing, the VC described him as “a man of integrity.”

On his part, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Sam Ogege, said the passing of Otite is a big loss to the faculty and the university.

Prof. Ogege said he led a team for a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Eku on Saturday.

His words: “We went on the visit to confirm because it was hard to believe at first. That someone we saw yesterday was no more. So, we were there to confirm if it was true. We discovered it was true and commiserated with them. We may have an expanded delegation go for a second condolence visit on Monday.”

Speaking further, he said everyone’s heart in the faculty is broken, saying the deceased was a jolly-good fellow.

He called on the Faculty to take solace in the fact that God gives and takes, just as he urged staff to embrace going for regular medical checkup as they age, noting that the economic situation in the nation is tough and puts people on pressure.

Also speaking to Oasis Magazine on the development in a phone conversation, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Dr. Paul Opone, described the news as a “very sad one.”

He added: We saw him three days ago and so it was shocking news to us as ASUU and as colleagues.”

“He was a very gentle man to the core and a foundation member of our union and served as the first secretary to the union. In fact, we are grieving because it is a very big loss to ASUU family in DELSU.”

Opone prayed for God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Meanwhile, he said the executive members of ASUU have been informed and they will be visiting the family soon.

Otite, in his 60s left behind a wife, Mrs. Igho Otite and a son.