Banji Ayoola
Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Monday described the death of the member of the House Representatives, representing Akure South/North Federal Constituency, Hon Adedayo Omolafe, as shocking and devastating.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, to the governor the governor described the death as too difficult to accept; as no news of illness was heard about the lawmaker before his sudden death in the wee hours of Sunday.
He said Omolafe, who was a member of the state’s Green Chamber, had urbane character.
His words: “Like every mortal, Omolafe is gone in fulfillment of the mankind’s inescapable debt.
“It is painful that such a bright star is gone too soon. For our dear state, this is a big blow dealt by the ugly sting of death. It is a devastating tragedy.
“He was renowned for his generosity, touching lives and making people smile with his act of giving.
“He was a grassroots politician. His death is a great loss to Akure kingdom and the state in general.” .
The governor commiserated with the National Assembly, the people of Akure, and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state over the incident.
Akeredolu also condoled the immediate family of the deceased and urged them to take solace in the legacy of his good deeds, especially his philanthropic gestures while he was alive.
He prayed: “May the Almighty God grant him eternal rest and keep him in his bosom.”
Omolafe also served as an elected Executive Chairman of Akure South Local Government in 2004.
The lawmaker who was said to be unconscious last night (Sunday night) was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo where he reportedly died at about 2 am this morning.
Adedayo Omolafe popularly called “Expensive” is a household name in Akure, his home town with strings of legaccies to be remembered for.
As Chairman, Akure South Local Government between 2003-2009, Omolafe brought infrastructural development and social services to the ancient city and Ondo state capital.
These included Neighborhood markets, drains, culverts, roads, maternity centres, Hostels for corps Members ( Corpers’ Lodge) along Ondo Road, Ultra Modern Motor park, Oke -Ijebu, Akure, and employment of hundreds of indigenes including physically challenged persons as permanent staffers of the council among others.
When recently a professional body of Engineers, under the auspices of The Nigerian Society of Engineers ( NSE) Akure Branch, honoured the deceased with an award “in recognition of his exceptional contribution and service to humanity,” he was described thus:”He brought dignity and respect to the exalted office as Mr Chairman of the most populous Local Government in Ondo state. His charisma, deeds, discipline and legacies are chronicled as unmatchable till date.
“As a State Coordinator of SURE-P, A Federal intervention programme to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, he delivered the job meritoriously. He brought his abundant native intelligence to the fore in meeting the local challenges during the implementation of this material cum distributive policy.
“Ondo State Property Development Corporation is another point of his political calling in 2014. He was appointed as its Chairman. During his brief but eventful stay, Hon. Omolafe exposed the state estates to modernity and reclaimed the lands and properties of the state from unauthorized occupiers.
“It is noteworthy to state that his present capacity as a member representing Akure North/ Akure South in the green Chamber has drawn accolades from the low and mighty.
“His interventions have covered critical areas like Health, Education, infrastructures (both physical and stomach), Empowerment, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition for youths, business grants and Employment assistance.
“Hon. Omolafe is untiring in providing Leadership and Mentorship to the generations of upcoming politicians which also qualifies him as a recipient of the award and tallies him with the theme of the Memorial lecture to honour the Late James Raymond Olusoga.
The NSE is adequately applauded for appreciating the deserved. This award will definitely serve as a memorabilia for him to strive harder. And God, will continue to strengthen Hon. Omolafe Adedayo, the man whose heart is committed with burning desire to add indelible values to humanity.”
