By Adetutu Audu
Former Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, Professor Idowu Sobowale is dead, reports thegazellenews.com
Thegazellenews.com reports further that Professor Sobowale died at the age of 85 on Thursday, 8 October, 2026.
Professor Sobowale was both Special Adviser and Commissioner for Education in the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he Governor of Lagos State.
Foluke Daramola-Salako was married to Kunle Salako. Their marriage was short-lived but produced two children.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of the journalist, esteemed communication scholar, and former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Idowu Sobowale.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Friday, 9 October, 2026, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said the death of Prof. Sobowale, who died on Thursday at the age of 85, is a significant loss to Lagos State and Nigeria.
He stated that the passing of Prof. Sobowale, one of Nigeria’s pioneer mass communication scholars and war correspondent, has created a vacuum in the education sector.
The Governor also extended his condolences to the academia, the deceased’s family, colleagues, and associates on the loss of the professor of journalism.
He said: “Prof. Idowu Sobowale was a renowned scholar and one of the few Nigerians in academia who used their extensive experience to make a mark in the education, media, and political sectors in Nigeria.
“The passing of Prof. Sobowale is a great loss to Lagos State and Nigeria. He is an epitome of dedication and selflessness in private and public service. He contributed significantly to the education sector in Lagos State and Nigeria, especially as Mass Communications scholar and Lagos State Commissioner for Education.
“I pray that Almighty God is pleased with his soul and grants his family, friends, colleagues and students the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Professor Sobowale was also former father-in-law to popular Nollywood actress Foluke Daramola-Salako.
