July 25, 1954 – November 21, 2020
We mourn the passing of our dear beloved father, husband, brother, friend and colleague, Dr. Edward E. Asikele who departed this world to be with the Lord on the 21st. November 2020. Dr. Edward Ehiabhi Asikele was born July 25, 1954 at Uzogholo Ewu, Esan Central L.G.A of the present Edo State Nigeria to the family of Mr. & Mrs. Uidia and Ikhira Asikele. Dr. Asikele attended The Apostolic Church primary school, Uzoholo Ewu from 1960 to 1966. He then proceeded to Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongida-Ora in the then Mid-West region from 1967 to 1973. He worked at the Rubber Research Institute Eyanomon Benin city from 1973 to 1974. He later attended the College of Education, Abraka (in the then Bendel State) and now in Delta State, Nigeria from 1974 to 1977. He began his professional career teaching at a secondary school in Yola in the current Adamawa State of Nigeria during the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps service year between 1978 and 1979. He then proceeded to teach mathematics, physics and chemistry at Iruekpen Grammar School, Iruekpen in the then Bendel State now Edo State Nigeria from 1979 to 1981. While he was in primary school and secondary school, he was known to be hard working following his parents and brothers to the family farm to support the family. He liked to study and he encouraged others around him to study also. He was brilliant and focused on science subjects at school. He was caring for every one of his siblings and encouraged everyone around him to go to school. He always said the more you study, the more you understand and are enlightened. He was very generous and he wanted to see anyone around him educated and progressing academically. He also encouraged everyone around him to serve God as a Christian. At Abraka, he was a chorister and a member of the prayer band at the Christian Union of students. He was also one-time zonal secretary of the Scripture Union Esan zone, Edo State, Nigeria. He proceeded to travel to the USA in 1981 on a student visa on his personal funds. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a MBA degree both from Embry Riddle University, Florida. He obtained a Ph.D. degree from the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Nuclear Engineering at the University of Cincinnati on August 20, 1993. He also served at the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems at the University of Cincinnati where he enjoyed the university graduate scholarships throughout his studies at the University of Cincinnati. His Ph.D. dissertation topic was “Adaptive Control for Just in Time Manufacturing Implementation.” His Ph.D. dissertation was under the advisership of Prof. A.H. Soni, an Ohio eminent scholar. Dr. Edward E. Asikele was a long-standing chair of the Engineering and Computing department of Wilberforce University in the 1990s to mid-2000s. He was also the Director of the Joint Nuclear Engineering Program at Wilberforce University. He subsequently became the Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Wilberforce University till his unfortunate illness in December 2014. He was very instrumental in the branding and success of Engineering and Computing program at Wilberforce University and during his years at Wilberforce University, he had considerable success in writing funded grants and generating scholarships for many students in the engineering and computing disciplines. He played a major role in developing new programs and curricula in Engineering and Computing at Wilberforce University in the 2000s and the early 2010s. He personally mentored and guided many students in research as well as assisted many students in entering graduate school, obtaining internships and growing professionally in the STEM industries. He leaves behind a legacy of accomplishment and unwavering commitment to Wilberforce University and the students he served. Dr. Asikele will be remembered as a gentleman, quiet, kind-hearted, patient, a good husband, a good father, a good in-law, a good brother, a good uncle and as someone who loved to give. He also will be remembered for his many funny jokes. Dr. Edward E. Asikele is survived by his wife Paulina, his children Gloria and Angelique, Sisters; Felicia Oare, Alice Aselu and brother Godfrey Asikele, nephews and nieces including Joyce Asikele, Ruth Taiwo, Joyce Mensah and Kenneth Asikele.
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