“The lessons of death are for the living.”
- Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju
On February 15, 2025, Dr. R.J.E. Ndom (Roy Jacob Enyia Ndom), Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Ilorin and prominent member of the Unilorin 49+ group said goodbye to the world.
Roy, as he was fondly called, gave up on this day after a protracted struggle with a debilitating illness. He was 69 years old.
Dr. Ndom was a consummate academic and committed activist for justice. Beginning his career as Graduate Assistant in the Department of Behavioural Sciences at the University of Ilorin in 1982, he was sent abroad for further studies. He climbed steadily through the ranks upon his return, and was Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychology, by 1996. He was also the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Unilorin Branch, from 1993-1995.
The crisis of the University of Ilorin slowed Dr. Ndom’s advance. He was Ag. Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology in 2001 when the mass termination of appointments affecting the Unilorin 49 occurred. This unjust and illegal termination, which was later reversed by the Supreme Court, placed his mainstream career on pause. He became ill somewhere along the line and eventually died as an Associate Professor.
Tributes poured in and tears flowed freely for Roy at the various services prior to his internment. He was variously described as selfless, disciplined, dedicated and affable (see attached Tributes).
In his own tribute, leader of the Unilorin 49+, Prof. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, remarked that Roy generally embraced an ideology of service to the community and an attitude of commitment to enduring moral and social values.
Among other members of the Unilorin 49+, Prof. Poju Akinyanju described Roy as “a comrade and a friend, responsible and caring,” while Prof. and Mrs. Olatunji described him as “quiet but versatile and passionate about justice.” Prof. Adebowale Ajayi described him as “a genius who blended affableness with an uncompromising defence of the weak and the oppressed.” Engr Remi Olu eulogized him for his “loyalty, public spiritedness, scholarship and tenacity.” Prof. and Mrs. Makanjuola remembered him as “a great senior colleague, friend and comrade,” and waxed poetic in recalling “the days of the trenches.” Prof. and Mrs. Fabayo also described him as “a very good resource person and a good fighter despite his physical challenge.”
On why Tributes are paid to the dead who are no longer aware or able appreciate them, Prof. Oloruntoba-Oju remarked, as he had done on similar occasions in the past, that “the lessons of death are for the living.” adding that “Roy has left us now. It is for the living to be inspired and guided one way or the other by his legacy of courage, commitment, and love, and by the numerous tributes and anecdotes that sum up his existence.”
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