BY  LEKE ADESERI, S-West Regional Editor

ABEOKUTA—Condolences have continued to pour in for the family of Chief Segun Okeowo, the arrowhead of ‘Ali Must Go’ protests, a day after his death..
Okeowo,  former  president of the National Union of Nigerian Students, NUNS, who championed the students protest in the late 70s against General Olusegun Obasanjo-led military government died on Tuesday at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, at the age of 73.

Amosun
Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has mourned Okeowo’s death by describing him as a “fearless reformer.”
Amosun, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Media, Mrs. Funmi Wakama commiserated with the family of the deceased and Nigerian students and said late Okeowo was a true hero and dogged pace setter worthy of emulation by youths who should be in the sustained vanguard for a  better Nigeria.

“We recall his struggle in 1978 during the ‘Ali Must Go’ saga when he championed the resistance by university students, the 50 kobo increment in the price of meals on campuses by the then Supreme Military Council, SMC, an action which was driven by patriotism and selflessness.”
Amosun prayed God to give the Okeowo family, his friends and associates, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Fayemi
Also, Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed regret on the death of the former President of the defunct National Union of Nigerian Students, NUNS.
Fayemi in a statement, described Okeowo’s death as the end of an era of a freedom fighter whose legacy inspired future generations to the defence of the rights of the oppressed.

He said Okeowo’s place in the annals of the nation’s history is forever secured with championing the cause of the Nigerian students in his capacity as NUNS leader during the ‘Ali Must Go’ protest of 1978.
Fayemi said Okeowo’s fearlessness and refusal to be silent in the face of tyranny is a lesson to those in positions of leadership to always respect the rights of the people they are leading.

He also said Okeowo used his wealth of experience as an educationist to reposition the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board.
The governor urged the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that he left behind a good name and worthy legacies they can build upon.

Mimiko too
Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state has described Chief Segun Okeowo,  as “a brave, bold and courageous patriot.”
Mimiko, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Akure  by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Eni Akinsola, said  the deceased and his colleagues stood firm in promoting the interest of students and Nigerians in general  under a military regime.
He expressed his government’s condolence on the great loss to Okeowo’s family, NANS  and Nigerians at large