The death of a renowned historian and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Festus Ade-Ajayi, has been described as a great loss to Nigeria and particularly Ekiti State.
This was contained in a condolence message by the Governor-Elect of Ekiti State, Peter Ayodele Fayose, issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi.
Fayose, who said that it will be very difficult to fill the vacuum left behind by the Ekiti-born University administrator, noted that the contribution of the late professor to the study of African History has become a reference point throughout the world.
The Governor-Elect expressed sadness at the death of Ade-Ajayi, especially now that his service would have been of immense importance to the incoming Peoples Democratic Party government in Ekiti State.
He therefore commiserated with the people of Ikole and Egbeoba Kingdom for this great loss, saying that Prof. Ade-Ajayi has always been a pride to the academic community, Ekiti State, Nigeria and Africa.
Fayose implored the Elekole and the paramount ruler of Egbeoba kingdom, Oba F. Fashiku, to take the death of Prof Ade-Ajayi as an act of God that cannot be altered by any man, praying that God should grant the family left behind by the professor, the Kabiyesi and people of Ikole Ekiti the strength to bear the loss.