Two prominent Nigerian professors have passed on and President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Simon Lalong are mourning them.
The President commiserates with the family, friends and associates of Professor Dotun Philips over the passing of the distinguished development economist; while Lalong mourns the passing of the Director-General of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Habu Galadima.
A statement from Plateau State Government House by Lalong’s spokesman, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, quotes the Governor as receiving with shock the death of Galadima.
He said the death of Prof. Galadima is a great loss to his immediate family, NIPSS, Plateau and Nasarawa States, the Nigerian academic community and the entire country.
He described the late Prof. Galadima as an astute scholar of international repute, administrator and professional who demonstrated uncommon commitment in carrying out every responsibility he was assigned.
Lalong said “since assuming office over one year ago, Prof. Galadima has injected a fresh impetus in the management of the nation’s apex policy and strategic institution by introducing new concepts that made research seamless even under the current COVID-19 pandemic. He also did a lot to improve the physical infrastructure of the institution while strengthening the academic experience for all course participants. He will be greatly missed”.
He said Prof. Galadima over the years contributed a lot to the educational development of Plateau State having studied and taught at the University of Jos for many years before his appointment as the DG of NIPSS.
Governor Lalong prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his family.
President Buhari, according to the statement by his spokesman, Mr. Garba Shehu, also condoles with the academia, government and people of Ogun State, noting that “Nigeria has lost a brilliant economist who for decades made his wealth of knowledge and experience available of several students, researchers and governments at all levels.”
According to President Buhari, “The history of the Nigerian Civil Service cannot be complete without reference to the contributions of Prof. Philips,” adding that he also played significant roles in the evolution of the country’s tax system, development plans, revenue allocation and building human resource capacities, among others.
The President prays that God will console all those who mourn the distinguished scholar, renowned author and former Director-General, Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER), and grant the soul of Prof. Philips peaceful rest.