Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed his condolence on the death of popular musician, Chief Elemure Ogunyemi.
Ogunyemi died in the early hours of Thursday in his residence at Ekute area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital at the age of 71.
The Governor in a statement said he received the news of the death of Ogunyemi with shock on a day the state was celebrating the transition of another illustrious son and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Jacob Ade-Ajayi.
According to the Governor, the death of the music star who positively projected the image of the state and was the first musician of Ekiti genre to acquire a global recognition, is a great loss to the state.
Fayemi described the death of Ogunyemi as a great loss to Ekiti people whose dialect and culture the deceased promoted through his music all over the world.
He added that Ogunyemi mentored other musicians who have promoted the Ekiti dialect and popularized the Ekiti music genre.
Fayemi pointed out that Ogunyemi’s music brought joy to music enthusiasts and lifted the spirits of many through his philosophical sayings and wisecracks.
The Governor described Ogunyemi as a music legend, cultural ambassador, entertainer and great artiste of immense talent.
Fayemi noted that Ogunyemi’s giant strides in his chosen profession made him to receive honours from far and wide including a honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ilorin and the prestigious traditional title of the Elejoka of Isaba-Ekiti.
He promised the readiness of his administration to immortalize the deceased as a mark of honour for being a worthy Ekiti ambassador in his lifetime.
The Governor said the people of Ekiti State and music lovers all over the world are mourning the passage of Ogunyemi.
He urged the family and associates of the deceased to take heart and be consoled by his positive contributions to the development of the state.
Last modified: September 18, 2014
