L-R: Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi; widow of former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaja Saratu Lam Adesina; Former Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo; and Ekiti State Governors Dr Kayode Fayemi, during the burial of former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina, at his Felele home, Ibadan... on Sunday.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has described the death of former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina as a “big loss to the Nigerian democracy.”
Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, described Adesina as “one of the heroes who fought tooth and nail for the return of democracy in 1999.”
He further described Adesina as a committed Awoist who practised and defended the ideals of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo till he (Adesina) breathed his last.
Fayemi noted that Adesina’s tenure as Oyo governor between 1999 and 2003 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) witnessed implementation of masses-oriented policies which positively touched the citizenry.
He stated that Adesina used his position as a member of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic to canvass passage of laws that aided good governance and manifesto of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
The governor recalled that Adesina chose to be on the side of the people during the struggle for the return of civil rule enduring several arrests and detentions.
Adesina, he went further, became a thorn in the flesh of the Gen. Sani Abacha-led junta that he was arrested and branded a “Prisoner of War” by a former military administrator.
“Alhaji Adesina was a democrat, activist, patriot and one of the leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) who put their lives on the line and fought the military to a standstill.
“This great man remained one of the legends of the democracy we all enjoy today and he has secured his place in the hall of fame of the Nigerian democracy.”
“On behalf of the government and people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with members of the Adesina family, the government and people of Oyo State on the death of this icon of democracy whose legacies will continue to endure for a long time to come.”
Last modified: November 11, 2012
