A Federal Commissioner of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade has expressed that the death of four prominent and renewed political community and religious leaders in Ogun and Lagos and Ondo states as a great loss for the Southwest region.
In a statement personally signed and made it available to PressMen in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital. Akinlade explained that he received the deaths of these great personalities unexpectedly because they all left this world at a time their states and the nation as a whole needs their wealth of experience most to survive.
“On Monday, the deaths of Prof. George Akinola Ogunpola, Chief David Adeyemi Coker, Prof. Oladipipo Akinkugbe, and Senator Adebola Osinowo (Pepperito).
Honorable Akinlade stated that Baba Akin Ogunpola, Chief Adeyemi Coker and Prof. Akinkugbe and Senator Osiniwo were great sources of inspiration and role models in public service with their modest lifestyles, loyalty and commitments to duties. He stated that these elderstatesmen distinguished themselves with excellent services to their immediate communities, their states and Nigeria at large by contributing immensely in education, health, commerce and industry sectors.
He mentioned that, Pa. Akinola Ogunpola legacies left while he served the state and the nation as a foremost educationist has continued to be the reference point to past and present public office holders in education sector. He said “Baba was diligent, hardworking, knowledgeable and upright. Baba was indeed a complete man.”
Speaking on late Chief David Coker, who also served as a commissioner for Commerce and Industry alongside Pa. Ogunpola between 1979-1983, the Federal Commissioner described Chief Coker as “a man full of humor and words of wisdom, a man who is loved by old and young.”
Also, while reacting to Prof. Akinkugbe demise, Biodun Akinlade said Nigeria and the world has lost a man who distinguished himself in areas of medicine and academics. He described Prof. Akinkugbe as a great teacher whose knowledge has impacted hundreds of thousands of young and old scholars in area of medicine.
Describing Senator Osinowo as humane, humble and a symbol of consistent and loyalty, Hon. Akinlade said Lagos State and Nigeria has lost a vocal voice of the grassroots whose political journey has been to be the voice of his people as a legislator.
Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade who is also Baba Adinni of Yewa land described their deaths as a great lost to their states and Nigeria at large. He therefore, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the deceased families and associates while praying that “God grant those left behind the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
