Family Decries Non-immortalisation of Western Region Governor, Fadahunsi

The family of late Governor of the old Western Region, Sir Odeleye Fadahunsi, has decried the refusal of both the Federal and Osun State Governments to accord their patriarch the honour due him since his passing on May 12, 1986.

This is coming just as the family stated that the refusal of the two tiers of government is a disservice to the nationalistic efforts of the late politician whom has been described as one of Nigeria’s founding fathers.

Fadahunsi, who was elected into the defunct Western Region House of Assembly on the platform of the National Council For Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) took office as the governor of the region with the exit of the former holder, Sir Adesoji Aderemi, the then Ooni of Ife in 1962.

He vacated office in January 1966 upon the takeover of government by the military, which resulted in late MajorGeneral Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi coming to power.

The position of the family is contained in a statement issued in Lagos by one of the sons of the deceased, Mr. Taiwo Fadahunsi, yesterday as part of activities marking the 36th anniversary of the demise of the late nationalist.

In the statement, Fadahunsi stated that the family has written a series of letters both to the state and federal government, “without acknowledgement,” describing the action as ‘regrettable and unfortunate’.

“Today marks the 36th anniversary of the demise of our father, Sir Odeleye Fadahunsi. Since he died in 1986, there have not been any deliberate efforts to immortalise his memory by Oyo (now Osun) state. The federal government too has not done anything to immortalise him.

“We wish to state that other nationalists of the stature of our patriarch have been honoured with one monument or institution without any thought to Sir Odeleye.”