President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolences to Babatunde Ogunnaike’s family and friends following his death.
Buhari said in a statement on Tuesday that the deceased, a Professor at Delaware University for more than 25 years and Dean of Engineering, contributed significantly to the lines of the National Anthem, demonstrating his patriotism and dedication to the nation’s well-being in the living words that daily reinforce Nigerians’ faith and spirit.
As a scholar and administrator, the President confirms that the long hours of research, which spanned years, increased knowledge and comprehension and prepared generations for larger endeavors.
Buhari prayed that Ogunnaike’s soul would be received by the Almighty God, and his family would be comforted.
He was picked as a co-author of the national anthem after his contribution to a federal government competition seeking lyrics for the new national song was chosen.
P.O. Aderibigbe, John Ilechukwu, Sota Omoigui, and Eme Etim Akpan’s contributions were combined to make the new national anthem, which was adopted in 1978.
Ogunnaike was born on March 26, 1956, in Ogun state, and received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 1977.
In 1981, he received a master’s degree in statistics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as a doctorate in chemical engineering from the same institution.
On February 20, 2022, Ogunnaike passed away.
