The Ede Elders Council has confirmed the death of Professor Gafar Siyan Oyeweso, one of Nigeria’s most respected historians and a distinguished son of Ede.
His passing has drawn heartfelt tributes from senior members of the community, led by the President of the Council, Alhaji Sulaimon Adebayo, who described the loss as immeasurable for both Ede and the academic world.
In a statement issued through the Council’s Director of Publicity, Chief Dr Ayodele Adeyemo, Alhaji Adebayo said the elders were deeply pained by the departure of a man whose life’s work was anchored in service, mentorship and cultural preservation.
He recalled Oyeweso’s generosity and unwavering commitment to young people, saying the professor readily sponsored and guided aspiring youths in Ede and remained a dependable figure for countless families.
According to him, the late historian embodied humility and warmth, and carried an expansive spirit that welcomed everyone who sought his counsel.
Tributes Flow for a Scholar Who Championed Ede’s Heritage
Chief Adebunmi Adeleke, reflecting on the professor’s impact, said he was always eager to support initiatives that shaped the academic and professional future of Ede’s youths.
He described him as a steadfast mentor whose absence will be felt across the community for many years.
Emeritus Professor John Ayoade, one of Ede’s foremost elders and a leading political scientist, said he was deeply shocked by news of Oyeweso’s death.
He called him an illustrious son of Ede and a scholar of outstanding merit whose passing leaves a significant void in both the town and the wider intellectual community.
According to Ayoade, Oyeweso’s brilliance as a researcher and historian set him apart in Nigerian academia.
Professor Oyeweso, until his passing, served as Provost and Chairman of Council at Obafemi Awolowo University, his alma mater, and also as Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies at Osun State University. A Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, he built a formidable reputation as a prolific author and researcher whose works enriched the understanding of Yoruba history, culture and identity.
His publications, documentaries and media contributions remain vital references for scholars and cultural enthusiasts.
Among his major contributions are his works on the history of Ede, including a documentary on Oba John Adetoyese Laoye, the Timi of Ede, and studies on other traditional rulers.
His edited volume, Ede Icons and the Making of Modern Nigeria, stands out as an important collective biography that situates Ede’s leading figures within the nation’s broader historical development.
The Ede Elders Council said that although his death is painful, the community submits to divine destiny.
The Council extended condolences to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa I, the Timi of Ede, as well as the entire Ede community, the academic world and Professor Oyeweso’s family. Prayers were offered for his soul to find rest in Aljaena Fidrous.
