Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has mourned a key member of the state’s COVID-19 task force, Professor David Olaleye, who passed away on Tuesday.

Olaleye was said to have died of an undisclosed illness.

The deceased who was a Professor of Virology at the University of Ibadan, doubled as the head of the Clinical Virology Laboratory, in the University College Hospital (UCH), which served the purpose of conducting COVID-19 tests in the state.

In a condolence message issued by Chief Press Secretary to the Oyo State Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, Makinde described Olaleye’s death as a massive loss to the country.

He said: “With the death of Prof. David Olaleye, Oyo State and, indeed, Nigeria have lost a great man and a dedicated professional.

“He served this state as the arrowhead of the Virology Team of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force and discharged his duties with utmost commitment and diligence.

“Prof. Olaleye was the head of the Clinical Virology Laboratory, which served the purpose of conducting COVID-19 tests and he played that role actively till he passed on.

“He was ever so passionate about the State overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic and the success recorded so far in the fight against the virus can be credited to individuals like Professor Olaleye and other individuals, who have worked and are still working round the clock to ensure that the state’s efforts to combat the virus remain top-notch.

“I commiserate with the family of Prof. Olaleye, the University College Hospital (UCH), the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and the University, as well as the body of academics in the country.

“May God Almighty grant everyone the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and grant repose to the soul of the late Prof Olaleye.”