Late Chief Friday Aderemi
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed profound regrets at the death of former Acting Governor of the State, Chief Friday Aderemi, who passed on Tuesday.
Chief Aderemi was until his death, Chairman of the Ekiti State Education Trust Fund.
Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said the late Chef Aderemi served the Ekiti State diligently in various capacities and contributed immensely to the development of the state.
The Governor noted that Aderemi who also served as Speaker of the State House of Assembly before becoming Acting Governor, presided over a historic state parliament that protected the interest of the people of the state during a trying period.
He said Aderemi’s death has robbed the state of a great leader who could be looked up to by younger generation in nation building, peacemaking, conflict management and building strong institutions that will stand the test of time.
Fayemi described Aderemi as an uncommon statesman who served the people with humility, diligence, enthusiasm, selflessness and commitment to the cause of the common man.
The Governor said the history of Ekiti, as a political entity, would not be complete without a generous mention of Aderemi’s contributions as a teacher, legislator, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Acting Governor and lately as chair of the state’s Education trust Fund.
Governor Fayemi said although Aderemi sat on the governorship seat for two days (between 16th and 18th October 2006) before a state of emergency was declared by the then Federal Government, the late politician acted in the best interest of Ekiti people.
Fayemi explained that Aderemi’s life was exemplified by service to humanity as a teacher who moulded the future of the young ones for over three decades in public schools before venturing into politics.
The governor said the deceased was privileged to have been elected into the House of Assembly twice. First in the old Ondo State in 1983 and in 2003 in Ekiti State.
He noted that electing Aderemi again into the state legislature after 20-year break spoke volumes about the trust reposed in him as a dependable servant of the people.
The governor pointed out that Aderemi’s humility was unparalleled in accepting to serve as the Chairman of the State Education Trust Fund after he had left office as Speaker and Acting Governor.
Fayemi said, “Chief Aderemi saw politics as an opportunity to serve the people and he did that to the best of his ability serving as a worthy representative of his constituency in the old Ondo State and Ekiti State.
“He was a decent politician and diligent parliamentarian no wonder he was elected Speaker in the Second Assembly in Ekiti State and he brought maturity to bear in presiding over the affairs of the Assembly.
“Providence thrust the governance of the state on his shoulders when he emerged as Acting Governor on October 16, 2006 and acted in the interest of the people for the two days he spent in office.
“Despite his attainment of enviable political heights in life, he lived among his people in Ayetoro-Ekiti and was ever ready to contribute to the development of his community in particular and the state in general.
“May the gentle soul of this great Ekiti son and legend continue to find rest in the bosom of the Lord as we all mourn his demise.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with his immediate family, friends, associates and other Nigerians whose lives have been touched by this patriot”.
Last modified: January 7, 2014
