Adeleke buried, Yoruba Council of Elders, others pay tributes

Former Governor of Osun State, Isiaka Adeleke was buried in his country home, Ede yesterday.

His remains was brought to the burial site from Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo at about 10:46 a.m. as admirers, aides and supporters of the late politician struggled to catch a glimpse of the body.

The Chief Imam of Ede, Alhaji Moshood Akaje performed the funeral prayers around 11:03 a.m.

He was buried immediately after the prayers amidst tears by families, friends and political associates.

Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun and former Governor of Osun, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello, ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Olufunmilayo Ette were among the dignitaries at the burial.

The Chief Imam of Ansarudeen, Ede, Alhaji Ibrahim Adekilekun, described Adeleke as a man loved by all. He urged members of his family not to accuse anyone of being responsible for his death.

Top officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also attended the event to pay their last respect.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and a team from the National Assembly later visited Adeleke’s family after the burial.

The state government has declared three days to mourn the late senator.

According to a statement by Semiu Okanlawon, the media aide to Governor Rauf Aregbesola: “The three-day mourning period commences from Monday, April 24, 2017. During the period, all flags are to fly half mast.”

Meanwhile, dignitaries continued to eulogise Adeleke and his achievements.

The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) commiserated with the governor and people of Osun State on the loss of the first civilian governor of the state.

In a statement endorsed by its Secretary General, Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN), they said the late politician “would be remembered for many great feats achieved while in office, notable amongst others being his investment in the education sector with the establishment of the polytechnic in Iree and the College of Technology at Esa-Oke, as well as the work done on the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation.”

The statement further said: “To the royal fathers, most especially Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, the Yoruba Council of Elders sends condolences and prayers on the loss of their illustrious son. We pray that the Almighty will grant all who knew the late Senator Adeleke the fortitude to bear this loss.”

Also, the death of pioneer Director General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Dipo Famakinwa, according to YCE “was also a big blow to the us. It is on record that Famakinwa midwifed the economic integration of the South West region which he served with all his energy.

“We urge South West governors to immortalise his name by ensuring the project does not fail.”

Aregbesola, his Lagos and Ogun states counterparts, Akinwunmi Ambode and Ibikunle Amosun expressed shock over the demise of Adeleke.

Ambode in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described Adeleke’s death as a huge loss to the entire Southwest region and the Yoruba worldwide.

Amosun described the death of the former governor of Osun as “a rude shock.”