By Demola Akinyemi

Ilorin — Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, on Monday, lost one of his commissioners, Mrs Helen Popoola, who was in charge of the Ministry of  Social Development, Culture and Tourism before her death.

Mrs Popoola, who reportedly died of renal failure after a protracted illness at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, was the chairman of Oyun local government during the first tenure of Saraki administration until she was appointed commissioner in 2007 at the inception of the second term .

Informed sources confided in Vanguard that the late commissioner was already showing signs of full recovery from the ailment on Sunday as she strolled around the hospital premises while her Pastor also came to pray for her in company of her aged mother.

Her condition, however, was said to have suddenly deteriorated Monday morning at the time doctors were proposing when to discharge her from the hospital, a development that led to her death.

Governor Saraki, speaking when the people of Oyun local government led by the PDP chairman, Alhaji Adesina Jimoh, paid him a condolence visit in his office yesterday, described the deceased as a loyal and dedicated public officer and a member of the state executive council who played her roles efficiently and effectively while in office.

Governor Saraki also in a statement issued from the office of the Secretary to the Government of Kwara State prayed God to grant the deceased who died at the age of 43 eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

The statement said the wake-keep for the reposed of her soul would hold at her Bashorun Ibadan residence today at 4 p.m while the burial ceremony takes place at St. Patrick Church, Bashorun, Ibadan tomorrow by 10 a.m. while  interment follows immediately at the Church Cemetery, Bashorun, Ibadan.