4 weeks ago
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By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA: Dignitaries crossed Nigeria’s governmental and societal circles connected Tuesday nighttime gathered successful Abuja to honour the representation of erstwhile Kwara State Governor, Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, who passed distant connected June 25, 2025, astatine the property of 81.
The solemn evening of tributes drew erstwhile Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; erstwhile Chief of Staff to precocious President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; salient businesswoman Bola Shagaya; erstwhile Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Senator Dino Melaye; Frank Nweke Jr; NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye; among galore others.
Adebayo, fondly called “C.O.,” was a antheral of galore firsts successful Nigeria’s governmental past — a teacher turned person who roseate to service arsenic Commissioner, Senator, Governor of Kwara State and aboriginal Minister of Communications, Works and Housing. He was besides a frontline subordinate of the pro-democracy coalition, NADECO, which fought for the actualization of the June 12, 1993 statesmanlike election.
Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who described Adebayo arsenic some a mentor and a disciplinarian, reflected connected their schoolhouse days unneurotic astatine Ilorin Provincial School.
“He taught maine humility. I was precise rascally then, but helium pulled maine speech 1 time and said, ‘Agboola, remember, erstwhile you misbehave they would accidental it is due to the fact that you are from a royal family.’ That acquisition stayed with maine for life,” Gambari said.
He besides praised Adebayo’s honesty during tense governmental moments, recalling however helium erstwhile urged a sitting politician not to rig an predetermination and however his wit and joviality near indelible memories.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki lauded Adebayo arsenic a politician who sacrificed overmuch for Nigeria’s freedom. “We indispensable retrieve a antheral who gave up a batch for this ideology that we are enjoying today. We beryllium him that,” Saraki declared.
The astir moving tribute of the nighttime came from Adebayo’s daughter, Oloruntoyosi Ayobola Ebun, who spoke connected behalf of the family.
She recounted how, during the tallness of NADECO’s absorption successful the 1990s, her begetter prepared his children for the likelihood of apprehension oregon worse. “He told america plainly: ‘Any day, they whitethorn travel for me. I whitethorn spell retired and ne'er return.’ From past on, whenever helium near home, helium carried a tiny container with apparel and toiletries, acceptable for detention,” she said.
According to her, that courageousness defined each signifier of Adebayo’s nationalist life. “He bore powerfulness similar a burden, ever mindful that it was work to God and people. He could not beryllium bought, helium could not beryllium bent. He stood connected principle, always,” she added.
She besides painted the representation of a loving begetter and gramps whose subject was matched lone by his tenderness. “He nursed my parent done unwellness with devotion fewer men could ever match. He was besides the champion babysitter to his grandchildren, strict yet affectionate. His emotion was ever felt, adjacent successful silence,” she said tearfully.
Recalling his integrity, 1 of his proteges simply identified arsenic Dr. Atte, described Adebayo arsenic “incorruptible,” narrating however helium erstwhile turned down a bribe of £500,000. “He said, ‘No sir, I volition not bash this to my people,’” Atte told the audience, to thunderous applause.
The station Saraki, Gambari, others wage glowing tributes to precocious Kwara Gov, Adebayo appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.
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