Despite the controversies and the protest march now accompanying the demise of the first Excecutive Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, avalanche of tributes have been pouring in from prominent Nigerians.
The role call include Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki including other serving senators like Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi, Abudufatai Buhari and Governors of Osun and Oyo States. Others are Osun PDP, the Speaker of Oyo State, Hon Michael Adeyemo, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde, Professor Adeolu Akande, Architect Muyiwa Ige and several others.
In the message of the President of the Senate, Dr. Saraki, he described the demise of the foremost politician as a sad personal loss.
Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described Adeleke — the first elected Governor of Osun State — as an important figure in the Eighth Senate.
“My heart goes out to the family of Senator Adeleke, and the people of the great State of Osun,” Saraki said, “Adeleke was a leader in every right, a formidable colleague, patriotic statesman, good family man and complete gentleman whose contributions to the development of the of Osun State in particular and the nation in general will never be forgotten.”
The Senate President went on to eulogize Adeleke, who served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market as a consummate reformer, courageous public servant and grassroots politician whose love for his people and commitment to national service remains unparalleled.
“From his track-record as a second term Senator, it is clear that Adeleke was a man who his people trusted to carry out their mandate in the Senate,” he said, “He was always passionate about his work in the legislature, and showed competence, dedication and an ability to work with everyone to bring about the greater good. He will be sorely missed.”
He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the larger Adeleke family, Osun West Senatorial District, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the entire people of the State of Osun, the Vice Chairman and members of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, the Senate, and indeed, the 8th National Assembly.
Saraki prayed to Almighty Allah to grant Adeleke a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah firdaus.
Osun Government Laments
The Government of Osun on Sunday said it is still in shock over the sudden death of the first Civilian Governor of the state, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke.
The Government described as a nightmare, the news of the death of one of the illustrious sons of the state.
In a short statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the government said the death of Senator Adeleke is hard to accept.
“The sad news of the death of the first civilian governor of our state, Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, has struck us like a thunderbolt. Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who is far away in China on state assignment is still speechless and in mourning.
“While the government awaits the reports of the autopsy which is being conducted, we can only calm our people to take this huge and incalculable loss with equanimity.
“Alhaji Adeleke, no doubt, has served our dear state well. First as its Civilian Governor and currently as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where he has provided adequate representation for the people of his senatorial district and the state. He was a politician with towering dossier.
“We find this loss inexplicable but we are restrained by the fact that we cannot query the verdicts of our Creator, the Almighty.
“We commiserate with the good people of Osun over this sad loss. We are still in shock,” the statement added.
Abiola Ajimobi Sad, Shocked
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has described the death of the first civilian Governor of Osun State and serving senator, Isiaka Adeleke, as shocking, disheartening and sad.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, in lbadan, on Sunday, the governor said he received the news of Adeleke’s sudden death with shock and disbelief.
The governor described the late senator as a celebrated and committed politician, distinguished senator, grassroots mobilizer, socialite and great philanthropist.
Ajimobi said, “When the news filtered in that Senator Adeleke was dead, l was extremely shocked and amazed. I found it very difficult to believe, because he was bubbling with life when l saw him last.
“Senator Adeleke was one person l admired for being a fine politician who committed his life to the service of humanity and his native Ede land.
“Right from his days as the first elected governor of Osun State up till his death, he never wavered in stretching his helping hands to the poor and the needy.
“His role in the dominance of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, from when he decided to team up with the progressives, till death, is noteworthy. Senator Adeleke was an asset to our party. He will be greatly missed.”
Ajimobi also commended the late senator’s contributions to debates on the floor of the Upper legislative chamber, which, he said, contributed immensely to quality legislation by the National Assembly.
The governor expressed the regret that the cold hands of death snatched away Senator Adeleke at a period when he said his wealth of experience was needed to salvage the country from its current socio-political challenges.
He added, “His sudden death is even more regrettable because the people of Osun State, members of the APC nationwide and indeed all Nigerians will henceforth miss his gregarious personality, his zeal for development as well as his great mobilization skills.”
Ajimobi prayed that the Almighty Allah should grant the soul of the late senator Aljanah firdous, and for God to grant the bereaved family, the late senator’s friends and kinsfolk in Ede the fortitude to bear the loss.
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari From Oyo North Mourns
Chairman Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime Senator AbdulFatai Buhari has described his late Colleague from Osun West Senatorial District, Senator Isiaka Adeleke who died on Sunday morning foremost lawmaker who will be greatly missed.
Senator Buhari a lawmaker representing Oyo North Senatorial district in his condolence message said the news of Adeleke’s death was not only shocking but also confusing and disturbing.
“He is a responsible and principled politician who is passionate about his constituents and the state at large.
“His immense contribution to the growth of Osun and the Federal Republic of Nigeria will forever be remembered.
“As mortals we have no option than to submit to the will of Almighty Allah who gives and take at will but we shall continue to pray for the repose of his soul and grant him eternal rest.
“I symathize with the Executive governor of the state of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his immediate and extended family, political associates and the entire people of the state and pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Osun PDP Declares 3-Day Mourning
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Osun state chapter has declared a 3-day mourning and an immediate suspension of all party activities across the state following the sudden death of the late Isiaka Adeleke.
The party which described the death of Adeleke as shocking and very devastating also said that the flag of the party would be flown at half mast in honour of the former governor who was once a senator on the platform of the party.
A release issued on Sunday by the State Chairman, Hon. Soji Adagunodo described the senator representing Osun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly as a grassroots politician whose impact on the life of the people was noticeable and remarkable.
Adagunodo said the death of Adeleke in the early hours of Sunday marked the end of an era in the annals of Osun state.
According to the PDP chairman, the late senator was unequalled in charisma, generosity and courage and will be missed across party lines.
He added that his brief tenure as Osun State Governor witnessed remarkable achievements in all spheres while his subsequent contributions to the development of the state was undeniable.
While condoling with the Adeleke family of Ede and the entire people of Osun state, the state PDP prayed that the Almighty Allah will grant eternal rest in Aljanah to the late Asiwaju of Ede and comfort his entire family and associates.
All You Need To Know About Isiaka Adeleke
Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke was born on January 15, 1955 to the family of Ayoola Adeleke and Esther Adeleke. His father was once a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Even though an indigene of Osun State, he was born in Enugu State and was there in his early years before the civil war began. He was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Osun West senatorial District until he died on Sunday.
He had his Primary Education at Christ Church School, Enugu before his family moved to Ibadan. He, however, completed his secondary school at Ogbomosho Grammar School where he had his West Africa School Certificate in 1972. He then proceeded to the Jacksonville State University, United States of America where he bagged a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1983. In 1985, he obtained his Masters in Public Administration from the same Institution.
Prior to becoming a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he was Chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Pro-Chancellor And Chairman, Governing Council, University of Calabar, Nigeria. He was also the Director of Pacific Merchant Bank and Chairman of Tadel Investment Limited.
During the Nigerian third republic, Adeleke ran for Governor of the newly created Osun State which was carved out from Oyo State. He was a member of Social Democratic Party, the dominant party in the state but he was not initially favored to win. The front runner was a lawyer, Oladipo Oladosu but after a close primary in which Adeleke came second, Adeleke was able to win a runoff. He was then elected the first civilian Governor of Osun State in 1992. Notable decisions made by Adeleke was the establishment of a Polytechnic at Iree, a College of Technology at Esa-Oke and the completion of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation.
In 2007, Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke contested for a seat in the Osun West Senatorial district under the platform People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and won. He lost out in the 2011 elections.
However, In the 2015 elections, he again re-contested for a seat in the Osun West Senatorial District under the Platform of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and won.
It is worthy to note that he targets to sponsor bills that will improve Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System.
He is also a recipient of the National award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (C.O.N).
Packaged by Olayinka Agboola, Alice Egbedele and Bunmi Oladejo
