Professor Kunle Lawal Goes Home

Late Professor Kunle Lawal (Picture-saharareporters)

 Professor Abdul- Rasheed Olakunle Lawal, Commissioner for Education in Lagos State between June 27, 2003 and April 4, 2006 died in the early hours of 25th December 2013 (Christmas Day) at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos State after a brief illness. He has since been buried according to Islamic rite. The 8th Day Fidau prayer was held on Wednesday, 1st January, 2014 at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education(AOCOED), Ijanikin, Lagos State.

Professor Lawal was born on the 9th of May, 1959 into the Awori clan of Ojo to the Late Haruna Ayinde Lawal of Lagos Island.
He started his Primary Education at Jama-at-Islamiyah Primary School, Ebute Elefun, Lagos from 1965- 1971. Post Primary Education at Lagos City College, Yaba from 1972- 1976 and Federal School of Arts and Science, Victoria Island 1977- 1979. He obtained a B.A. (Hons) History in 1982, M.A. History in 1984 and PhD History in 1991 all from the University of Ibadan.

Professor Kunle Lawal had a rich and rewarding working experience as a lecturer, School of preliminary Studies, Keffi, Plateau State from 1982- 1983. Senior Research Fellow, office of Scholarly Programmes, the United States Library of Congress, Washington D. C. (U. S. A.) Jan- Aug.1994.
Teaching and Research, Lagos State University(LASU) 1984- 2004.
By dint of hardwork and scholarly brilliance, Professor Lawal rose from Assistant Lecturer in 1984 to become Professor of History and International Studies in 2004.
He was a recipient of many awards in recognition and appreciation of his invaluable service to his academic Community, State and Country. These include J. William Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship in the United States of America, 1993.
University of Ibadan Post-Graduate Grant for Doctoral Field Work in the UK, 1988.
Lagos State University Staff Development Award, 1986-1990. Lagos State Government Scholarship Award 1979-1982, 1983-1984, 1986-1990 to mention but a few. 

He contested the 2006 governorship election  in Lagos State as the running mate to Mr Jimi Agbaje on  the platform of DPA after resigning to join politics. His party lost the election to the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN).
 
Siyan Oyeweso, closed associate of Kunle Lawal, said “ Lawal earned for himself national and international acclaim as a first class scholar, dogged politician, consummate administrator and a jolly Lagosian.”

Oyeweso further stated that Lawal contributed immensely to the History profession, particularly the history and culture of the peoples of Lagos State.

One Mr. Kay Soyemi (Esq.) posted the comment below (not verified) on Dec, 26 2013, 8:12PM. on saharareporters online platform:


"Dr. (as he was then) was an extremely brilliant fount of knowledge. Can't forget him taking those lectures on Early Man in African History nor will I forget his erudite approach toward Lagos History in the 1800.

"Fare thee well, my former lecturer and cultured colleague!
oh death, where is thy sting?


My heartfelt condolences to his family. My prayer is for God to grant them the strength to bear his passing...."

Professor Lawal was a historian, scholar, politician and a lover of Yoruba music and culture. His contributions to the development of Nigerian society particularly his profound understanding of the history of Lagos will be missed.

We at hajikay.blogspot bid him eternal good bye. May Allah forgive his sins and grant him Al-janah Fridaoz.

Written by Ibraheem Mustapha