- Safiu Kehinde
Former Minister of Science of Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, has died at the age of 87.
Isoun reportedly passed away on Wednesday 15th of July.
His demise was however announced in a statement issued on Friday by Daniel Alabrah, the Chief Press Secretary to Bayelsa State Governo, Douye Diri.
As contained in the statement, Diri described the late minister as an outstanding scholar and statesman.
The governor hailed him for his contributions to education, science, technology and national development would remain unforgettable.
He lauded Isoun’s intellectual stride, stressing that his influence extended beyond academia and public service, noting that his death was a major loss to Bayelsa State, the Ijaw nation and Nigeria.
Diri also highlighted Isoun’s role as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where he helped lay the foundation for Nigeria’s first university of science and technology.
The former minister, who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2000 to 2007, reportedly championed key reforms in Nigeria’s technology sector, including the establishment of NITDA, the creation of Galaxy Backbone and the advancement of the country’s satellite programme.
Beyond public service, he was a prominent advocate for Ijaw interests and played a role in the campaign that led to the creation of Bayelsa State in 1996.
Diri extended condolences to Isoun’s family, the people of Odi community and the Ijaw nation, urging them to take solace in the late statesman’s enduring legacy.