The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities, has described the demise of its Chairman, Emeritus Prof. Nimi Briggs,
as a great loss to the Nigerian university system.
In a statement issued by the Alternate Chairman of the Committee and Pro-Chancellor, Modibbo Adama University Yola, Bashir Dalhatu, described the deceased as an outstanding intellectual, a Scholar-practitioner, public servant, statesman and a highly-valued citizen.
Dalhatu said the late Briggs was a complete gentleman, a family man and a man of deep thought and vision.
“His footprints in medicine, in general, and in public and private lives are timeless”
” His service to our country, Africa and the rest of the world will continue to remind us of this great man”
Dalhatu thanked God for the deceased fulfilled life, as the committee prayed that his soul be granted an everlasting life as well as his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
In a related statement, the Chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo, eulogised Briggs as a strong pillar of the Nigerian University system contributing over 50 years of unbroken service.
Edoumiekumo noted that long after his retirement from active academics, he was still serving the system as pro-Chancellor to two Universities and a member of the NUC Advisory Committee.
He prayed God to grant his widow, Datta Briggs, his Children and grand children, the good people of Abonnema and Rivers state the fortitude to bear the loss.
”Briggs trained four generations of Professors of Medicine and was a leading authority in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics.
”As Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port-Harcourt, he set the gold standard in university administration.
”As Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors, he raised the bar in articulating the nature and character of university leadership and governance in Nigeria.
”His service to our country, Africa and the rest of the world will continue to remind us of this great man,” he said.
Until his death, Emeritus Prof. Briggs, was the Pro-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndifu Alike, the 5th Vice-Chancellor of University of Port-Harcourt and Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.