By Banji Ayoola
“Dr Wahab Adegbenro, the Honourable Commissioner for Health was a reliable colleague and compatriot. A great General in the forefront of our battles against Covid-19. His calmness and dedication towards caring for everybody was loved by all. He will be sorely missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family, especially his Wife who is a big cheerleader of this administration.”
Above were the words of Ondo State Governor, Dr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in reaction to the passage on Thursday morning, of the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro.
The Governor who is on self isolation to neutralise his positive status from COVID-19, though asymptomatic, reacted through a video posted on his official Facebook page.
The Governor, who , described the late Commissioner as a reliable colleague and a compatriot. The Governor, thereby send his condolences to his family members.
The state government had earlier honoured the departed commissioner by declaring Friday work free and directing all flags statewide to flow half mast for seven days.
It announced the honour while formally confirming the Commissioner’s death in a moving statement entitled “Adegbenro, our general, died healing others.
The departed commissioner, aged 65, who had been receiving treatment for an ailment, died earlier on Thursday morning.
Government, in the statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, said: “With a deep sense of sadness, the Ondo State wishes to announce the demise of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro.
Until his death, Adegbenro, a two-time Health Commissioner in the State, equally doubled as Chairman, Ondo State Inter-ministerial Committee Against COVID-19. Dr Adegbenro was in the forefront of the State’s battles against the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.
Not only did he signpost commitment and diligence; he, indeed, was immeasurable in his inspiration clearly defining himself as an embodiment of selflessness, hardwork and inexorable professionalism.
This is one death too heavy to bear. The excruciating pains the timing has unsparingly, wrought on us in Ondo State are no less potent. To say the least, Dr Adegbenro was our General, and died healing others.
Having served humanity with the attendant kindness, he played his part honourably. The least we can do for this Medical Hero is to plant a seed of honour for him.
Accordingly, the Ondo State Government has directed that all flags in the State must fly at half mast for 7 Days from today Thursday, 2nd of July, 2020.
Similarly, the Ondo State Government has declared tomorrow Friday 3rd July a work free day to honour his memory as the family will commit his body to the mother earth.
Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN will in a short while, commiserate with the family of the deceased as well as the good people of Ondo State, virtually.
May Allah grant our great brother and compatriot Aljanna Fridaus.”
