BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN—Many sympathisers have thronged the Ikolaba residence of a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Dejo Raimi, who died yesterday in Ibadan at the age of 81.

Raimi was the Secretary General, Southern Forum during the tenure of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former Secretary to the Oyo State Government and Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

Among those who consoled the family of the late industrious son of Ibadan were the former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, who said, ‘It is a pity that Raimi’s death came at a time when his wise counsel and meaningful contribution to the political development is most needed,” he said.

“As Secretary to the Oyo State Government under the leadership of the Late Chief  Kolapo Ishola, he demonstrated total loyalty and commitment to the cause of Oyo State, which reflected in the numerous achievements of the administration,” he said.

In his own words, the former Senate Leader,  Senator Teslim  Kolawole Folarin  who described the late  politician as an accomplished medical practitioner and an astute administrator, who contributed to the  development of Oyo State and in his later years to the unity of Nigeria through his activities as the Secretary General of the Southern Peoples Forum, comprising political leaders and leaders of thought  of the South West, South East and South South geopolitical  zones  of Nigeria.

He further eulogised the late Dejo Raimi  whom he described as an apostle of politics of ideas and one of the founding fathers of the PDP. Senator Folarin  further noted that  Dr Dejo Raimi fought relentlessly for the enhancement of the leadership status of Ibadan in  the politics of Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.

Senator Folarin  said he was inspired by the fierce commitment of the late Dr Dejo Raimi to the development of Ibadanland and Oyo State through his principle of politics  without bitterness.
Raimi was appointed the SSG by the late Kolapo Olawuyi Ishola in 1991.