L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; his Ogun State counterpart, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun; and his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Shuaib Salisu, when the Ogun State Governor paid a condolence visit over the death of late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, in Ado-Ekiti.
The Forum of Deputy Governors in Nigeria, on Wednesday, said it was impressed by the quality of medical treatment given to the late Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka, in her battle against Cancer, which eventually led to her death last Saturday.
The Forum in a condolence message to the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, thanked the government of the state for providing the late deputy governor the best of medical treatment both in Nigeria and abroad, while the ailment lasted.
Delivering the message of the Forum to Governor Fayemi in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, the representatives of the deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope- Adefulure (Lagod Deputy Governor) and Chief Segun Adesogun, lauded the support the late Mrs Olayinka got from the Ekiti government in courageous battle against the sickness, adding that the good quality of medical care she got helped her resolve to live.
The Forum of Deputy Governors in Nigeria, according to Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire, are proud of the contributions of Mrs. Olayinka to the success of the Fayemi administration in which she served diligently. She also thanked the first family for their support to the late deputy governor during the period of her illness.
Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire said:
“Your government has been wonderful in taking care of her, she received the best of treatment. She was very courageous, hardworking and she lived a fulfilled life. You and the first lady have played a supportive role to her and we cherish the good working relationship she enjoyed with the first lady.
“We are pained as her colleagues and I am particularly pained as a woman. We have comfort in the Lord Jesus Christ that she will continue to rest in peace.”
Meanwhile Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, were among eminent Nigerians that that paid condolence visit to the Governor Fayemi over the death of Mrs Funmi just as the state government has announced April 26th as the burial date for the late deputy governor.
Other dignitaries include the Accountant general of the Federation, Mr Otunla; Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, who was represented by a delegation and three senators representing Ekiti in the Senate – Babafemi Ojudu( Central) Olu Adetunmbi (North) and Anthony Adeniyi (South).
Governor Amosun, who described the late Mrs Olayinka as a daughter of Ogun State, having married an Egba man, (Arc Lanre Olayinka), said Ogun State also shared the pain of the loss of the late Ekiti deputy governor.
He explained that nobody expected Mrs. Olayinka to die so soon but urged Governor Fayemi to remain strong during this trying period.
Amosun said:
“We should console ourselves that with the 52 years she was with us, she did well. In the last six to seven years she found herself in politics, she joined the political struggle to reclaim the mandate from the courts and when the mandate was retrieved, she served the people of Ekiti State diligently.
“In Ogun State, we are sharing in this grief because she was married to our son, she is our wife and we share in your grief, we share in your sorrow.”
In the condolence register, Amosun writes:
“Our wife, sister, adieu. You served the good people of Ekiti State selflessly. The ACN shall family will surely miss your commitment. The nation will miss your charm and laughter. May the good Lord grant you eternal rest and may he comfort your aged parents, your husband, children and the government and people of Ekiti and Ogun States.”
Kwara Governor Ahmed described Mrs. Olayinka’s death as a huge shock saying her demise came at a time when Ekiti and Nigeria needed her most.
Ahmed who said he was impressed with the work done by the Fayemi administration which he (Ahmed) saw on arrival noted that the late deputy governor must have contributed to the success recorded in Ekiti.
The Kwara Governor said:
“It was a huge shock because she was full of life and energy but death is an inevitable end we all have to pass through.
“It came at a time we need her most, I know that God in his infinite mercies will continue to strengthen you and give you the wherewithal to manage the affairs of the state.
“We are also pained that she still has father and mother who are alive. I pray that God will give them the strength to bear this loss.”
Ahmed writes in the condolence register:
“Our dear sister, you have paid the supreme price. However, you have lived a life worthy of emulation. May God in His infinite mercy grant you eternal peace.”
Gombe Governor Dankwambo who was represented by a delegation led by Commissioner for Special Duties, Jallo Ibrahim, expressed deep shock on the death of Mrs. Olayinka.
He said the whole country has lost a gem, a great personality whose services are still needed by her home state and Nigeria.
“God knows why he took her home, death is an inevitable end and while we all mourn her loss, we know that death is gain to her”, he added.
The Ekiti Muslim Community was led by the Grand Imam and President of League of Imams and Alfas in the state, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere Bello.
Other interest groups who came to commiserate with Governor Fayemi include the state chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Prince Nathaniel Uzoma, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) led by Pastor Ola Adejubee and the NBA, Ado-Ekiti branch led by Mr. Omodele Adewumi.
Last modified: April 10, 2013
