President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the government and people of Ondo and Ekiti states over the death of Rear Admiral Sunday Olukoya (retd.).
His condolence message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled ‘President Buhari pays tribute to former Ondo military governor, Rear Admiral Sunday Olukoya’.
In the statement, the President described the Rear Admiral, who served as a military governor of Old Ondo State (now Ondo and Ekiti) between 1990 and 1992 as a brilliant officer, who distinguished himself in his career in the military and performed creditably in Ondo.
He noted that even after retirement from the military, Olukoya, in his desire for a better society, continued to offer his services to his community as a private citizen.
Also, Ondo State Government on Tuesday described Olukoya as a passionate leader with phenomenal moment in many ways in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, who said the late Olukoya served his country meritorously as a public officer.
According to the statement : ”The Ondo State Government this evening, (Tuesday) received with grief, the passage of Rear Admiral Sunday Abiodun Olukoya (rtd).
“Olukoya, as a Navy Captain, served as Military Governor of the old Ondo State from September 1990 to January 1992 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
“Born in 1949, Admiral Olukoya in 1992, handed over the reins of governance to Chief Bamidele Ishola Olumilua, also of blessed memory, as Governor of old Ondo State during the botched Third Republic.
“As the State Government awaits further briefings from the family of the departed Elder Statesman as regards burial arrangements, Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, has expressed condolences to the family of the deceased on behalf of the Government and good people of Ondo State.
“No doubt, the period of our departed former governor of the Old Ondo State, now Ondo and Ekiti states, was a remarkably phenomenal moment in many ways.
“His untainted humility, self discipline, candour and incurable desire for a better society stood him out as a dependable ally in the journey towards Nigeria’s quest for an egalitarian society.
“If at all, his displayed patriotism, altruistic disposition as well as personal commitment to the democratic process of his era were very alluring. He gave his all, unarguably, for the benefit of the our people.
“Our consolation as Admiral Olukoya departs, remains his footprints on the democratic path where he served as a veritable and supportive pillar.”
Olukoya died on Tuesday after an illness.
His death comes hours after Olabiyi Durojaiye, former Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) died. Durojaiye was the Senator for Ogun East from 1999 to 2003 on the Alliance for Democracy (AD) platform.
Before Ondo and Ekiti were split, Olukoya was the Governor of the combined States between 1989 and 1992.
He succeeded Retired Commodore Olabode George and handed over to Chief Bamidele Olomilua.
