President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday has described the death of Professor Akinwunmi Ishola as a loss to the literary world.
The president made the remark while commiserating with the family, friends and government of Oyo State on the passing away of the renowned author, playwright and literary icon.
Buhari praised Ishola for his steadfastness and dedication to the promotion of the native language as a means of sustaining the culture and tradition of Africa.
President Buhari noted that Ishola’s love for the Yoruba language was never in doubt as he exhibited that through all his published works and speeches even as a student and throughout his academic life.
Read also: Akinwunmi Isola’s death, a colossal loss –Ajimobi
The president said he joined the entertainment industry in mourning the loss of a producer and director whose contributions to the evolution and transformation of the entertainment industry from a disparaged genre into a major contributor to the nation’s economy would never be forgotten.
He called on other academicians to follow the sterling qualities of the National Merit Award Winner and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters who “was more focused on the development and transformation of minds as opposed to material gains.”
The president prayed that Almighty God would grant the soul of Professor Ishola eternal rest.
