Emmanuel I Unuabonah

It’s difficult to put into words the weight of this loss. Prof. was more than just a lecturer to me, he was a guide, a mentor, and a truly kind soul. I first met him 11 years ago during my NYSC, long before I became his student in my master’s program. Even then, his warmth, intelligence, and genuine interest in the people around him stood out. He taught with such clarity and patience, and what set him apart was his quiet dedication to his students’ growth, both academically and personally. You always got the sense that he was invested in your journey, not just your grades. I feel incredibly privileged to have known him and learned from him. His passing is a huge loss, not just to the academic community, but to everyone whose life he touched. I’ll carry his words, his encouragement, and his example with me always. Rest well, sir. You were truly one of a kind. Thank you for everything.

I was deeply shocked and demoralised when I heard about your transition yesterday but I have to take solace in the fact that yours is a transition to glory when I reflect on the life you lived. I remember when together we Joined the Chemical Science Department in RUN late 2008. Though my stay was really short-lived but the few months we spent together as colleagues and friends, the experiences, inspiration and encouragements are evergreen and shaped me to be who I am today. You inspired hope and fulfilment in whoever comes in contact with you. You have shown transparency and truth even if it will hurt your loved ones-a virtue that is quite rare among mortals. That showed you as a living episode of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You were a lighthouse to the young and discerning academics. Though I am depressed that you transited when the Nigeria academia need rare scholars like you but God knows best. May God continue to keep your loved ones under His wings and grant you rest in His bossom in Jesus Christ's name Amen

My Prof, words cannot explain the void I felt in my research work. When I was convinced you will supervise my MSc. Research, I knew I was in for a serious business but I didn't know it was going to be brief. I struggled several weeks with the reality of your death, it was a hard pill for me to swallow. I saw you bring Christ into chemistry and loving the unlovable. I saw your great humility, simplicity and patience. I pray the Lord will fill that space you left already in the department. I pray the Lord will keep your wife and children and take good care of them more than you have done. Professor Emmanuel Iyayi Unuabonah, you will be greatly missed but I won't forget your impact in my life.

Professor Emmanuel Iyayi Unuabonah! Ever since I heard the news of your passing, I’ve struggled to speak about it, to process it, or even to believe it. I haven’t been able to post about you, write anything, or share your picture. It all feels unreal—like you’re still around, and any moment, I might hear your voice or see a message from you. Almost every conversation I have ends up being about you. Not because I want to talk about loss, but because your presence shaped so much of my life—it’s impossible to talk about me without talking about you. Our story began in 2014 when I was selected to take the TWAS-MSc Scholarship test. You were the Principal Investigator of that grant. That encounter, brief as it might have seemed to others, was the beginning of something divine. From that point, we bonded—not as lecturer and student, boss and subordinate—but as family. You welcomed me into your life with open arms and never let go. We did everything families do together: we worked, prayed, cried, dreamed, and built together. You trained me to write proposals, references and nominations, and have been directly involved in every one of my wins ever since. Like Joseph, you trusted me with everything yours. You held my hand during one of the most confusing phases of my life—after my MSc—when the future was a fog, and nothing seemed certain. I remember those evenings of long walk in the premises of RUN, you held my hand like a father would his son, talking on how to move to the next phase, you guided me and helped me decide for a PhD, even though I didn’t agree with you then but I trusted you because your intentions are always pure and right. You didn’t give me a path; you helped me find it. And you pointed me only in one direction: excellence. You lived and breathed integrity. You wouldn’t touch what wasn’t yours, and even when things were yours, you sought clarity before engaging them. Your principle was clear: “Shortcuts cut people short.” You never took one, and you never encouraged one. Sleepless nights weren’t strange to you—not in pursuit of wealth for yourself, but in chasing down fellowships and grants that would benefit your students. You could have sought comfort, but you chose sacrifice. You chose service. You were dogged in the pursuit of excellence and patient enough to walk the hard but just path to get there. You were disciplined, selfless, and intentional. Working with you could be exhausting—but only because your standard was impossibly high, and your attention to detail, unmatched. Even your wisdom—quiet, often unassuming—carried the weight of deep thought and divine clarity. You didn’t just make decisions; you made them right. The night before my our trip—the last time we saw—you and I walked to and from your house at least three times, seeing each other off like siblings who couldn’t part. I remember those walks with reverence now. That was the rhythm of our relationship: mutual love, deep trust, and shared commitment to each other’s growth. Prof., I don’t know how to say goodbye. I don’t even know how to say rest well. What I know is that you were a gift—one that shaped my path, defined my values, and gave me an example to live by. My family and I are eternally grateful to have known you, walked with you, and grown under your guidance. You were not just a mentor or a professor. You were my father, brother, guide, covering, and friend. Sleep on, sir. Yours was a life well-lived.

I m from Pakistan,in the behalf of Tommie Mom And it is very sad to hear that the Lord Jesus Christ has fallen asleep. May God reward him in heaven for the service he did on this earth and may he receive blessings in heaven that he could not get here. We pray to God for his family to get them out of this difficult time and give them His comfort that is beyond the power of man and that is only God who can give comfort. I do not know him personally, but my mother-in-law Tommy, who was in Africa, came to know him through Pastor Lejoffer's family. So I express my thoughts to you all on his behalf. May God bless you all and entrust you to His holy protection and provide for your entire family. May God bless you and help you in every way. Amen.

I was shocked and deeply pained when I heard the news of your transition to glory. I didn't know that my discussion with you about my career, research, and health would be our last on this side of life. If I had known, I would have called you in February when I sent you a message and you responded. You were blessed by God and you were a blessing to many. You lived a good life, influencing, helping, and encouraging all including me. You were very passionate about lifting everone who came across your path. You did all these effortless and died empty. You accomplished your task here on earth. I thank God, whom you served passionately, because you fulfilled purpose on earth. The Lord will be with your beloved wife and children. Adieu, Bro. Emma.

Tribute to Professor Emmanuel Iyayi Unuabonah: Brother Emmanuel, your demise was a surprise to me because I believed and was expecting you to triumph over the sickness that brought you down. You were not just a friend; you were my brother. Since 2005 when we met at the Redeemed Christian Post Graduate Fellowship (RCPGF), University of Ibadan where you served as president and I Vice President, our friendship has grown stronger each passing day. You lived a humble, gentle and God-fearing life. You stood for holiness, righteousness and love for the brethren. You were dedicated, committed, hardworking and passionate about the things of God and your research. Even on your sick bed, you were busy attending to your students’ research and reviewing papers. Professor Emmanuel Iyayi Unuabonah, you were a great and lovely mentor, teacher and an academic to the core. You have been a blessing to my family, and we will miss you. Sleep on in the Lord till we meet to part no more. Bro. Ikponmwosa (IK.) Osaretin Osawe

*A Tribute to a Cherished Friend and Mentor: Prof. Emmanuel Iyayi Unuabonah The memories of my dear friend will forever be etched in my mind. His kindness, generosity, and unwavering support played a pivotal role in shaping my academic and professional journey. In 2013, he selflessly arranged for me to secure a host in Germany, enabling me to undertake a bench work project at Potsdam University. This opportunity not only broadened my research horizons but also allowed me to immerse myself in a new cultural context. Years later, in 2022, his influence continued to resonate in my life. He extended an invitation for me to join Redeemer's University as an adjunct lecturer, a role that has significantly contributed to my growth as an educator and researcher. His guidance and mentorship have been invaluable, and I attribute a substantial part of my success in teaching and research to his support and encouragement. Though he may no longer be with us, his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched. His kindness, compassion, and dedication to helping others are qualities that I strive to emulate in my own life. I am forever grateful for the opportunities he created for me and for the profound impact he had on my career. As I reflect on our time together, I am filled with cherished memories of our conversations, laughter, and shared experiences. His presence in my life was a blessing, and I will always treasure the time we had together. Rest in peace, dear friend. Your memory will continue to inspire me, and I hope to make you proud by continuing to grow and contribute to my field. By Dr. Tesleem O. Kolawole Department of Geological Sciences students Osun State