Professor Babatunde Aliu Fafunwa, Nigeria's former Minister for Education is dead. He passed on this morning in a hospital in Abuja, at the age of 87.

It's been gathered that exactly one week ago, Prof. Fafunwa was being asked to apologize to Nigerians for introducing the 6-3-3-4 System of Education by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Late Fafunwa who was referred to as the Mathematical Minister for the popular 6-3-3-4 system which was lampooned at a stakeholders meeting by President Jonathan bid mother-earth farewell after playing key roles in laying the foundation for Nigeria's post-independence education sector at the age of 87.

But for the problem of bomb blast on Nigeria's 50th Independence anniversary that led to the cancellation of the convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Fafunwa would have added keynote address as well as Honorary degree to his achievements but the event was put off.

Born on the September 23, 1923, the former Minister who is also a Commander Order of the Niger (CON) was not only a notable authority in the history of educational planning in Nigeria but contributed immensely to the development of the sector.

Prof Fafunwa obtained a B.Sc. (Magna Cum Laude) in Social Science and English from Bethune Cookman College, Florida, U.S.A. in 1950 as well as an M.A (Cum Laude) in Administration and Higher Education in 1955. He returned to Nigeria and was appointed professor of education and later, Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1965 and 1966. He was also Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Ife; from 1970 to 1972. He was the first Nigerian recipient of a doctoral degree in education. He has also chaired various organizations, committees, boards and societies.

In 1994, He received the Jan Amos Comenius UNESCO medal for outstanding achievement in the field of education research and innovation, Paris. He was also awarded the Nigerian Merit Award in1989 and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in December 2002. He was a devout Muslim who was the President of Jamat-at-ul Islamiyya of Nigeria between 1995 and 2004.

Reactions however have trailed the death of the former Minister. Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Godswill Obioma told Daily Champion that what a tragic loss! At this point in time of our educational history and reformational development to have lost the man who started it all".

Also reacting, Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed said that the sector has lost a doyen, a mentor, a father-figure who spent his whole life for education. May his gentle soul rest in peace; may Allah grant him Aljanna firdaus. May we have the courage to see his dream materialize for the upliftment of our country.