Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has described the late former Sole Administrator of Ekiti, retired Brig.-Gen. Adetunji Olurin, as a selfless statesman, a courageous soldier and an altruistic patriot who served his country diligently during his lifetime.
Fayemi, in a condolence message on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, described Olurin’s demise as a great loss, not only to his state of Ogun, but to Ekiti, and Nigeria as a whole.
Olurin, a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State between September 1985 and July 1988, also served as the Sole Administrator of Ekiti State for six months between Oct.19, 2006 and April 27, 2007.
This was when a state of emergency was imposed on the state by the then Olusegun Obasanjo-led Administration to forestall political crisis in the state.
Fayemi said the deceased discharged his duties as the Sole Administrator of Ekiti State with a great measure of fairness and firmness.
The governor said that Olurin left some legacies he would be remembered for in the annals of Ekiti.
Fayemi said although the late Olurin was a soldier, he was a man of the people who was very much concerned about their welfare and was ever ready to solve problems brought to his attention.
The governor noted that Olurin brought his humane nature and professionalism to bear during his tenure as the Military Governor of the old Oyo State.
“This, he also replicated while on peace-keeping assignment as the Field Commander of ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia,”Fayemi added.
Fayemi said the history of how a lasting peace was achieved in the then war-torn Liberia would not be completed without a worthy mention and glowing chapters written on the sterling contributions of the late Olurin.
He said that he was sad that Olurin’s demise came just few weeks after the death of a distinguished daughter of Ekiti, Mrs Abike Sonoiki, who served during the emergency rule as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The governor prayed God to grant the family and associates of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss, urging them to be consoled by the legacies of service, selflessness and excellence he left behind.
Similarly, Fayemi mourned Pa Olajide Olabode, a one-time driver to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of Western Region.
The Ado-Ekiti-born Olabode died on Friday at the age of 89.
Fayemi described Olabode’s demise as painful, but said that he was happy that the deceased lived a long, fulfilling and an inspiring life.
The governor said the life of deceased should serve as an inspiring story for many young people who had lost hope of actualising their dreams.
He said: “The deceased had the resilient spirit of excellence which Ekiti people are known for.”
He also said that though the deceased’s parents could not afford to send him to a secondary school having finished the then Standard Five, he was determined to be a successful man and found the right way to make his life count.
Fayemi said the visit of the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and himself to late Olabode’s residence in 2019, was a testament that he served the late Awolowo with integrity.
The governor said the late Olabode would continue to be celebrated as an icon of resilience, excellence and hard work as well as a source of inspiration for everyone who is confronted with challenges at the point of actualising their dreams.
He prayed God to give the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.
