The Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED), Oyo, has expressed sadness over the death of Nigeria’s first Professor of Linguistics, Emeritus Prof. Ayọ Bamgbose, describing his passing as a great loss to the academic community and the advancement of Yoruba scholarship.
In a condolence message issued on Saturday by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, the university sympathised with the family of the late scholar, who died at the age of 94, and paid tribute to his enduring contributions to education and indigenous language development.
The institution recalled that Bamgbose was an alumnus of St. Andrews College, Oyo, now Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, where he studied between 1948 and 1951 and obtained the Grade II Teachers’ Certificate.
According to the university, the late linguist remained a distinguished alumnus whose scholarly works and advocacy for the promotion of the Yoruba language earned him global recognition.
EAUED also noted that Bamgbose was among the eminent personalities honoured during the inauguration of the Alaafin Institute of Yoruba Studies, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Yoruba studies and African scholarship.
The university described him as an intellectual icon whose legacy would continue to inspire generations of scholars, linguists and educators.
“On behalf of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, we condole with the family of Prof. Ayo Bamgbose. As our worthy alumnus and one who contributed immensely to the development of Yoruba studies, he was one of our awardees at the inauguration of the Alaafin Institute of Yoruba Studies,” the VC stated.
