Gowon, Shonekan, Tinubu, Others Pay Tributes to Adebayo
Former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), and former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, yesterday joined other notable Nigerians to console the late General Adeyinka Adebayo’s family over his demise.
From early morning till late evening of yesterday, the residence of late former governor of old Western Region, Adebayo, who died last Wednesday morning, turned a Mecca of sort as scores of notable politicians thronged the Ladipo Bateye home of the deceased Yoruba leader to condole with the family of elder statesman.
Speaking after signing the condolence register, Gowon said: “One really cannot say how sad we are. We are sad. One of us is gone. Our oldest colleague is gone. He has passed the baton to us-the younger ones. We will always remember him. He helped to ensure that this country continued as a nation. “He has left a family I believe that will leave up to his ideals. Until we come, adieu brother Adebayo. I hope and pray he will prepare a place for us when we come.” Shonekan, who said the late elder statesman was “a peaceful man,” also expressed deep regrets over his death.
“He served the nation very well. I think he deserves a befitting burial worthy of someone who served his nation greatly,” Shonekan said.
Other prominent Nigerians who visited the Adebayo’s family at their GRA, Ikeja home were former military Vice President during the General Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida government, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe; former Ekiti State Governor and Minister for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. Three of the four remaining Alliance for Democracy (AD) governors, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (Lagos), Chief Bisi Akande (Osun) and Aremo Olusegun Osoba (Ogun State) were also there to console the family.
Others were Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Professor Jide Osuntokun, wife of late former Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Olufunke Agagu; retired AIG Tunde Alapini, Chairman Elizade, Chief Michael Ade Ojo; Senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district, Senator Remi Tinubu; business mogul, Chief Sam Adedoyin, and Rasak Okoya, former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Demola Seriki; and the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasheun. Extolling the virtues of the late Adebayo, Ukiwe said: “He (Adebayo) was very marvelous. He helped to turn this country around at a critical time. He was a trail blazer.”
On his part, Tinubu, who urged the Yoruba nation and the entire country to emulate the legacy of late Adebayo during his condolence visit to his home, said the deceased provided the platform where Nigeria’s unity was hatched after the June 12, 1993, presidential election was arbitrarily annulled. According to him, “He is our father and one of the founding Yoruba fathers. He was a great nationalist who fought for the unity of the country. He fought for the unity of the country at a critical time, and he paid the price during the service to the country.
“He was extremely courageous and was called upon to lead the entire Western states. All that he did was to work hard for the unity of the country. He did a wonderful job and left a legacy. When the country had problem during the annulled June 12, 1993, election, he rallied the people to ensure that Yoruba did not break and Nigeria did not break too as a result of that. “He made a great point that no matter what, the rule of law was observed. He was committed to bringing us up, not just his immediate family alone. I remember several meetings we had and the advice he gave us. He left a wonderful legacy!
“We must consolidate on the peace, which was not about him alone, but the future generation. The peace is a must for us because without peace, we cannot have a nation. We thank God that we are still here to build upon his legacy.”
Former Delta State Governor, Uduaghan, described him as a bridge builder. “Baba has a lot of legacies. He puts people together and mentored them during his tenure as a military governor. He also had the opportunity of producing a governor son. He was a peaceful man and all of us must pursue peace in the country because even as a military man, he ensured peace in Nigeria.” In his remark, former Ogun State Governor, Daniel, noted that “he was our dear father because of the special roles he played. I can never forget his contributions to what I have become. He was a builder. He was one of the last titans. It is a pity that he could not extend his lifetime beyond destiny. He will be greatly missed by the Yoruba people and Nigerians at large.”
On her part, Senator Remi Tinubu said the late general was a great Nigerian who loved peace and fought for peace in his lifetime.
She said: “He was peace loving. Adieu daddy! He had been a daddy to me for a long time. He will be greatly missed. I was still very young when he was a governor. Looking back, I think he had left a good legacy in the sense that he was alive to see his son become a governor. We pray that God will grant him peace.
“When his case is brought to the floor of the National Assembly, they will look for what to do to keep his legacies. Right now, I am not in the position to say much about that except they table it on the floor of the assembly, and it would be decided how to honour him.”
Adebayo Lived a Fulfilled, Worthy Life, Ambode Tells Widow
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said the late former military Governor of defunct Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd), lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.
Ambode, who spoke when he paid a condolence visit to the family and widow of the late nationalist, Mrs. Dupe Adebayo, at their Lagos residence, said though Pa Adebayo passed away on the eve of his 89th birthday, his life and times would continue to be celebrated by Nigerians.
He said the late general was totally committed to unifying the Yoruba nation, urging leaders in the region to strive to sustain his legacies.
The governor said though his death had brought top leaders of the Yoruba nation together to his residence, it was more than a coincidence, but a greater call for those he left behind to protect the unity of the region.
“On behalf of the people of the state, I bring my deepest condolences to the family of a great leader of the Western Region, of a nationalist, of a part finder, of a God-fearing man, a trail blazer that set this new set of Yoruba leaders in the right part; that we are able to come here not by coincidence, but the mere fact that he would ordinarily have been marking his 89th birthday today,” he stated.
Adebayo, A Great Leader, Remarkable Patriot, Says Ibori
Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, joined other Nigerians in mourning the passing of Adebayo at 89. He described the late former governor of the Western Region as a great patriot who sacrificed greatly so that Nigeria could remain one united nation in its trying days after the counter-coup of July 1966.
In a statement signed by Ibori’s Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, the former governor said the late Adebayo did not for once seek personal gain whatsoever, as one of the most senior officers that would have been in contention for leadership in the aftermath of the counter-coup in mid1966, “but set his mind and heart to the search for peace and unity for Nigeria. Furthermore, his record as Western Region governor remains a shining example for others to emulate.
While wishing the soul of General Adebayo a sweet repose, Ibori sent his condolences to Niyi Adebayo, who was his close colleague as Ekiti State Governor from 1999 to 2003. He said Niyi Adebayo has since remained “a friend and brother”. He also sent his condolences to Niyi’s elder sister, Mrs. Nike Makinde, as well as his brother Sola. Most of all, Ibori prayed the Almighty God to give his widow, Mrs. Adeyinka Adebayo, the grace to bear this irreparable loss.
Kalu Extols Adebayo’s Virtues
Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, expressed sadness over the demise of the former Military Governor of the Old Western Region and former President, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), General Adeyinka Adebayo. Describing the late statesman as a man with impeccable qualities, Kalu noted that his demise has created a big vacuum in Yoruba land.
According to the former governor, the late nationalist lived a fulfilled life and left behind a good legacy for his children to uphold. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “It is with a heavy heart and pain that I received the news of the passing of Adebayo. “Having served the country in different capacities, his wealth of wisdom and counsel on national issues will be greatly missed. “General Adebayo was well known for his boldness, fairness and honesty. He has left behind a remarkable footprint in the annals of Nigeria.” Kalu, while urging the deceased’s family especially his friend and former colleague, Niyi Adebayo, to take solace in the fact that their late patriarch contributed to nation building; prayed God to grant the late Army General eternal rest and give his family the fortitude to bear the great loss. He commiserated with the Yoruba nation, particularly the government and people of Ekiti State, over the tragic loss.
Adebayo’s Demise: Oni, Oluyede, Aluko Mourn Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, described late Adebayo’s passing as the end of era in the annals of Nigeria and the end of a significant chapter in the history of the Nigerian Army in particular.
He stated that “Papa Adebayo was the oldest military officer in Nigeria and the last of the first nine officers appointed when British Imperial Government began the process of Africanisation and Nigerianisation of the officers cadre. He was indeed a man of history with a chain of firsts in his military career. Until his death, as the last man standing, he was the last to wear the Red Cap after the military coup of July 29, 1966.”
In a statement issued yesterday, Oni said: “Papa was a foremost elder statesman, a nationalist who gave all to the service of the country and the Yoruba race with exceptional humility. He condescended to serve as military governor of the old Western Region after the July 1966 coup under a junior officer as Head of State, for the love of his people, the unity and stability of the country.” Also, an All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Wole Oluyede, described the late military governor as a distinguished nationalist and patriotic Nigerian whose vacuum will be difficult to fill.
In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti, Oluyede commiserated with the government of Ekiti State, saying: “It is no gain –saying the fact that General Adebayo lived well. Throughout his 89 years on earth, he lived for humanity and this vividly reflected in his distinguished strength of character and integrity as a family man, community leader, administrator and statesman.” Similarly, Senator representing Ekiti South senatorial district between 1999 and 2003, Senator Gbenga Aluko, has commiserated with the family of the former military Governor of the old Western Region.
Reacting to the passing of the late chairman of the Yoruba Council, Aluko said: “I have lost a father, mentor and a source of inspiration while growing up with my family. When General Adebayo was the military governor of the old Western Region, my father was a teacher at the University of Ife, and Adebayo made Ife as the first port of call anytime he was visiting Ekiti in those days.
Ekiti APC, Alabi Saddened
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ekiti State chapter, expressed sadness over the passing away of former Military Governor of Western Region, Adebayo, who it described as a nationalist and elder statesman, saying the nation has lost a disciplined leader whose counsel will be missed as Nigeria braces to tackle the economic challenges plaguing the nation. In a statement in Ado-Ekiti by the state party Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, APC said the death of the late military General and Chairman of the Yoruba Council of Elders is a great loss to Nigeria, the Yoruba race and his native Ekiti State.
Meanwhile, a governorship aspirant, Mr. Kola Alabi, has commiserated with the family of Adebayo who it has pleased God to call home after a meritorious life of service to God and humanity. He said: “Baba was a fine gentleman, loving grandfather, father, gallant soldier, elder statesman and a great leader whose legacy will continue to light the path to progress of the Yoruba race. The vacuum created by this colossal loss will definitely be difficult to fill.”