Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the governor of Oyo State has described the late Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo, as the best speaker he has ever known since he began his political career.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the incident occurred, the governor extolled the late speaker of the state’s 8th Assembly during a condolence visit by a delegation of Ibadan obas to his office, in Ibadan, on Monday.
Breaking his silence on the death of the speaker, the governor said that he was yet to come to terms with the stark reality that he would no longer see or hold meetings with the late Adeyemo.
On the delegation, led by the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun; were the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; Ekarun Olubadan, Oba Amidu Ajibade; Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; Ashipa Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; and Ekarun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola.
Ajimobi said, “I do appreciate this condolence visit on the demise of our colleague, brother, son and our speaker. Since his exit, I have refused to speak publicly because he was so close to me. I thought for a young man who had been very patriotic, diligent, hardworking and committed to the progress and development of this state to just pass away so suddenly. But, that is the will of God.
“Regardless of his young age, we take solace in the fact that it is not how far, but how well. I have witnessed and read about many speakers and worked with two; without any equivocation, I can say that he was the best speaker that I have ever worked with.
“In terms of intellect, humility, integrity, knowledge and the Omoluabi virtue a good leader must possess, I can say without mincing words that he was the best. It is painful that we lost him. I can say that he did very well.
“He was also very religious. Many people are religious but ungodly. But this man was religious and godly. I have no doubt in my mind that he is resting in perfect peace. I thank you for this visit and I pray that the Almighty will spare the rest of us to live long to impact positively on the society.”
Speaking earlier, Oba Balogun said that the death was a great loss to the state, adding that the intellectual capacity of the late speaker had reflected in the way he had led members of the House of Assembly without rancor.
The monarch said, “This visit is intended to convey our heartfelt condolences and express our sadness to the government and people of Oyo State as the speaker left us at a young age of 47 and when we least expected it because he was not reported sick.
“We commiserate with the governor, members of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemo’s immediate family and the entire people of Oyo State on this tragic loss.”
Meanwhile, Ajimobi’s government, Monday announced that the Speaker will be buried at his residence in Lanlate Area of the state on Thursday, May 3, 2018.
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun said that the Service of Songs for Hon. Adeyemo, who died on Friday, April 27, 2018 after a brief illness, will hold on Wednesday, May 2 at Oke Ado Baptist Church, Oke Ado Ibadan by 4pm.
He said that there will be a Special Session and Lying in State at the House of Assembly Complex on Thursday by 8am and the Motorcade leaves for Lanlate thereafter.
Adeyemo, the Speaker of the 8th Assembly, represented the Ibarapa East State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, was sworn in as Speaker of the State House of Assembly on June 12, 2015.
Prior to his position as Speaker, he was Deputy Chief Whip of the House, member of Fund Allocation, Works and Transport, Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Appropriation and Public Finance committees of the 7th House of Assembly.
The late Speaker was the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Conference of Speakers and also the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, among Speakers of the States’ Houses of Assembly.
He was a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Bar Association. He also served in the executive committee of the Ibadan branch of the NBA as an Auditor and Assistant Secretary.
Dignataries from all walks of life across the country are expected at what Arulogun stated will be a state burial for the late Speaker who is survived by his wife, children and aged parents.
Packaged by Oyedapo Oyewole
