Encomiums for Adebayo as Ekiti Honours Him with State Burial

Stakeholders in Ekiti State on Friday poured encomiums on the former military governor of the old Western Region, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo at a night of tributes preparatory to the State burial.

The high point of the Lying –in –State and Day of Tributes held at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti, was how Governor Ayodele Fayose, who initiated the event had commanded the local hunters to give the departed general 21-gun salute.

Former governor of Ekiti State and son of the late general, Otunba Niyi Adebayo led the family members to the venue of the funeral .

Stakeholders, including Governor Fayose, Secretary, Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr. Kunle Olajide, former Registrar of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Chief Olu Ajayi, President of Ekitiparapo in Lagos, Chief Esan Ogunleye, showered praises on General Adebayo for exposing Ekiti to modernity while in the saddle in the old Western Region.

The venue of the event was full to the brim, as people clad in Ankara (Aso Ebi) adorned with the portrait of General Adebayo and danced to all sorts of music being produced by local musicians .

The long convoy of vehicles that escorted the motorcade of LTJ Undertakers Limited that conveyed Adebayo’s body sauntered into the burial arena at about 2.08pm and was were received by mammoth crowd that had seated since 11am.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony included: former governor of the old Ondo State, Bamidele Olumilua, former military governors of Ogun and Ekiti states, Commodore Kayode Olofinmoyin and Atanda Yusuf, Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Reverend Felix Ajakaye, Founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), former Deputy Governs of Ekiti and Lagos , Chief Paul Alabi , Dr. Sikiru Lawal and Mrs. Sinatu Ojikutu, among others.

Fayose described general Adebayo as a true face of Yoruba nation and Nigeria, who genuinely fought for the unity of the country during the civil war that nearly ripped the country apart between 1967 and 1970.

Fayose said: “We are celebrating General Adebayo today because he had paid his dues. He had done Ekiti and Nigeria proud as a disciplined military man.