Neighbors of the late founder of Kakanfo Inn and Conference Center in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, Dr Lekan Are in his Oni & Sons, Ring Road, Ibadan community have said that he is one of the most security conscious Nigerians that ever lived.
The neighbors, who spoke in one voice on Saturday after the news of the demise of the founder of Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Ibadan broke concluded that he would be greatly missed.
One of those who spoke, Mrs Wuraola Bankole, an Estate Agent informed that the late respected Ibadan chief was the one who encouraged others in the community to be security conscious.
Said Bankole “We need not say much, check out the almost 20 feet-high fence he has around his house – that is enough to convince anybody that cares to investigate that Dr Are was indeed a security-conscious Nigerian.
It was gathered that Chief Are had been living with ailment relating to old age and had visited the University College Hospital, Ibadan on and off.
He eventually died on Saturday morning, about 12.30am at the High Dependency Unit of UCH.”
The deceased is survived by his wife, Olabisi and three children – Ayokunmi (based overseas), Adedamola, who runs Kakanfo Inn and Mrs Igun, with several grandchildren.
Since his demise was announced, many prominent Nigerians have visited his widow, Chief (Mrs) Olabisi Are and other family members.
Those sighted included Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, a former governor of Old Oyo State, Oba Eddy Oyewole, Engr Wole Agbaje of Idea Konsult who is also the Chairman, Ibadan Chapter of Government College Ibadan Old Boys’ Association.
Engineer Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State has also reacted to the demise of the respected statesman.
Are was a well-regarded agriculture and water resources expert, he served as General Manager of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority. At a point, he was the Chairman of University Press Plc.
He later became a Director on the board of PUNCH Nigeria Limited before he founded Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Ibadan.
He was aged 86.
Credit: opera.com
