Immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, in Edo State, Prof. Cordelia Agbebaku, is dead.
She was aged 55.
Prof. Agbebaku, who hailed form Esan South-West Local Government Area of the state, reportedly died, on Thursday evening, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
It was also learnt that she had been ill for some time.
The incident was said to have left the university community in a state of shock as the late professor only ended her tenure in 2016.
Public Relations Officer of the university, Edward Aihevba, confirmed the development, on Friday.
He said: “Yes, we heard the news very late yesterday (Thursday) and it has been confirmed (that) it is true. The whole thing has left the university in shock and everybody is downcast,” told our correspondent on the telephone.
He also said that a delegation, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ignatius Animawo, had paid a visit to the family of the deceased.
“But at the moment, the Vice-Chancellor and the management team are paying a visit to the family. It is only after all that that there will be any statement at all,” he added.
Born in 1961, the professor of Law, had served as an acting vice-chancellor before her substantive appointment by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole on February 10, 2014.
Before her appointment, she was the Dean of the Faculty of Law.
The late academic is survived by her husband, Prof. Philip Agbebaku of the Department of Political Science in the university and children.