Olayinka’s Death: Sultan, Tinubu, Saraki, Others Condole With Fayemi

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; with Senator, Representing Lagos Central, Oluremi Tinubu; and wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during a condolence visit by Tinubu to the Governor in his office.

As the seven-day mourning period declared by Ekiti State Government over the death of the State’s Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka ended on Sunday, more eminent Nigerians on Monday continued to pay condolence visits to the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Among the eminent Nigerians that visited the Governor in his office on Monday, are the representatives  of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad, Senators Oluremi Tinubu, Gbenga Obadara, former Governors of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki and Alhaji Shaaba Lafiaji, Wife of Osun State Governor, Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola and immediate past President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Managing Director, Vanguard newspapers, Mr Gbenga Adefaye.

The Sultan’s condolence message was relayed through Alhaji Mohammed Tambari, who also delivered a letter to Governor Fayemi on behalf of the sultanate. Sultan Abubakar Sa’ad, who described Mrs Olayinka as a hard working deputy governor, said  he also shared in the grief of the government and people of Ekiti over her death.

He prayed that God continued to guide the Fayemi administration so that the state would continue to witness more development.

Senator Tinubu, representing Lagos Central, in her remarks described the late Deputy Governor as one of her most respected female politicians especially for her roles in women empowerment and her excellent performance in office.

The Senator who said that Olayinka’s death was “a deep and painful one” said the deceased was more than just a Deputy Governor but a family member to the Fayemis, adding that both the governor and the late Mrs Olayinka had laboured to bring about the transformation that the State is witnessing now, just the deceased  and the wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi have worked together to uplift Ekiti women.

“She was a lovely soul and beautiful woman, in every perspective. What can we say about her? Can we argue with death? We can’t. We can only take solace in that she lived well. In her short life, her achievements are innumerable. We all will not live forever but we should know that whatever life God gives us on earth, we should make best use of it so that if we leave one day, people can remember us well as we do for Mrs Olayinka today”, Senator Tinubu said.

On his part, Senator Saraki who was accompanied by the former Governor of Kwara State, Alahaji Shaaba Lafiaji, said  Mrs Olayinka  was a “loyal and a great ambassador for all of us in the public service” and had known the deceased beyond the government relationship.

Saraki added that his condolence visit to the Governor was not based on official governmental relationship but that of brotherhood which had necessitated the visit to feel the pains felt by the Government and people of Ekiti State.

“We have come to show that ours in Kwara is not just that of government to government but brother and family, to feel the pains that you are feeling. We share the same ties and we cannot leave you because you are a great man who has shown maturity and statesmanship in everything. The least we could do is to be with you to console you”, Saraki said.

Signing the condolence register, Alhaja Aregbesola wrote: “My dearest sister as I usually called you. You are so humble, gentle, hardworking and tolerant. I will miss you but I know God almighty loves you best.”

Adefaye in the condolence register wrote : “Good woman, great fighter. Rest in Peace”

Others who paid visits included the Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal Ado Ekiti, Justice Olujimi Bada and Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayo Daramola who led other Judges of the State High Court and some of the staff of the State Judiciary among others.

Last modified: April 15, 2013