…..As Gowon, Shonekan, Anyaoku, Tinubu, Akande, Osoba, Ambode pay condolence visit

By Dapo Akinrefon & Monsuru Olowoopejo

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, has commiserated with former governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo over the death of his father, former governor of the defunct Western Region, Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo, describing the departed as a true patriot.

This came as more tributes poured in over the death of former statesman, who died in Lagos on Wednesday.

General Adebayo, aged 89, was military governor of the old western state between 1966 and 1971.

Adebayo was a true patriot — Buhari

In a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari made a call from London to former Ekiti state governor, Niyi Adebayo lamenting that Nigeria will surely miss the uncommon patriotism and nationalism which General Adebayo typified.

The statement reads: “The President also commiserated with the people of Ekiti State and the entire Yoruba race, noting that the late octogenarian while standing firmly for the unity of the country, also fought for the interest of his people as the President of the Yoruba Council of Elders.

‘’President Buhari prayed that Almighty God will console the Adebayo family and grant the soul of the departed elder statesman eternal rest.

‘’Mr. Niyi Adebayo, while thanking President Buhari for the call and commiserations, also wished the President good health.”

Gowon, Shonekan, Tinubu, others visit widow

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday led other eminent Nigerians to the home of former military governor of defunct western region, late General Adeyinka Adebayo, to commiserate with the family over the death of the elder statesman.

Also on the team were the first National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande and former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.

Other eminent Nigerians, who paid glowing tribute to the late general include Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former Secretary-General of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Mr Ayo Opadokun and Senator Ayo Arise.

I learned a lot from Adebayo — Obasanjo

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Edo State former Governor, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday night led some other dignitaries to pay condolence visit to the family of former military governor of defunct Western region, late general Adeyinka Adebayo, who died on Wednesday morning, a day to his 89th birthday.

Obasanjo, who led the prayer service for the late elder statesman, told the wife of the deceased Mrs. Dupe Adebayo and other dignitaries that he learned a lot from the late general who was his boss.

The former president lamented that in another five years, the country could be deprived of the service and assistance of the military officers commissioned before independence.

He noted that they were fine and intelligent military officers who contributed their quota to the development of the country.

According to him, he was probably the finest officers that we (young officers in the Nigerian Army) looked up to in the Nigerian Army before independence. We had a lot to learn from him.

Ambode visits the widow

Also, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, paid a condolence visit to the widow and family of the late nationalist, Mrs. Dupe Adebayo at their Lagos residence, yesterday, saying the late Adebayo lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.

He ‘ll long be remembered

—  Anyaoku

In his condolence letter to the first son of the late general, Otunba Niyi Adebayo,  former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku said: “I have just read with great sadness the news of your father’s passing.

”General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo was clearly one of Nigeria’s most accomplished military officers. He served his country with distinction as an exemplary Military Governor of Western State from 1966 to 1971. I recall with particular nostalgia my conversation with him in London on the eve of his departure to assume his new responsibilities in Ibadan.”

Nigeria has lost a fine soldier – Gowon

Eulogizing the late Adebayo, Gowon said: “We have lost one of our colleagues who served this country diligently. Our oldest colleague is gone. And he left the mantle of leadership for us. Certainly, we will always remember him as a fine soldier and human being. And someone who worked to ensure that Nigeria continue as a nation.”

I hope that we can have more of Adebayo in Nigerian Army

— Shonekan

In his tribute to the late Adebayo, Shonekan said: “He was a complete gentle man. He served the nation very well. And I think he deserved a descent elaborate burial to signify how he contributed to the unity of Nigeria. I hope the country especially the Nigerian Army; can produce more of General Adeyinka Adebayo.”

He taught me about professionalism

— Nwachukwu

In his own remarks, former Minister of Foreign Affairs General Ike Nwachukwu (retd), said that the late elder statesman was his mentor who taught him about professionalism in the Nigerian Military.

He was a founding father of Yoruba — Tinubu

Tinubu, who led the dignitaries to sing the 89th birthday song for the late elder statesman, emphasized that his effort after the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential election, kept Nigeria, especially the South-west united and helped returned democracy to the country.

He stated that the late Adebayo was a great nationalist and founding father of Yoruba because he fought for the unity and existence of this country.

A devoted father, leader is gone, says Fayemi

In his tribute, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, described Adebayo as a devoted father, leader and administrator with uncommon love and commitment for the progress of his people.

Nigeria has lost a disciplined leader

— Ekiti APC

Also, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State in a statement in Ado-Ekiti by the Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun said: “Nigeria will greatly miss this detribalised and disciplined military officer, nationalist and statesman.”

, who spent his productive years in the service of his nation at critical moments when the peace, stability and unity of the country were at stake.”