Nigerians on Wednesday offered condolences and expressed their feelings over the death of elder statesman and former Military Governor of the defunct Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo.
Adebayo died on Wednesday morning in Lagos on the eve of his 89th birthday, having been born on March 9, 1928.
A family source said he suddenly took ill at his GRA, Ikeja, Lagos home and was taken to the hospital where he died.
The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, described Adebayo as a patriot.
Aregbesola joined well-meaning Nigerians in commiserating with the family of former Military Governor of Western Region and President of the socio-political group, Yoruba Council of Elders.
Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, said the death of General Adebayo has robbed Nigeria, especially the Yoruba race, of an elder statesman.
He said: “General Adeyinka Adebayo served his fatherland well. He was a fine officer of the Nigerian Army and did his best in all the capacities where he served. The history of our country is incomplete with adequate mention of this fine officer.”
Recalling Adebayo’s interests in the growth and the development of the Yoruba race, Aregbesola said the former President of the YCE stopped at nothing to ensure the unity and progress of the Yoruba people.
He said: “We receive with heavy heart the death of one of Nigeria’s finest officers of the Nigerian Army, who fought for the unity of nation.
“No doubt, he is a soldier of repute and commander of men. He distinguished himself in his chosen profession both at home and abroad.
“The history of post-independence Nigeria and the crises that threatened the young nation’s existence will be incomplete without a chapter for this courageous soldier.”
Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former Governor of old Kaduna State, in a telephone, told the News Agency of Nigeria that Nigeria had lost one of its oldest retired military officers.
He said Adebayo was a fine gentleman and knowledgeable leader.
Balarabe described him as a noble elder statesman, who worked for the unity of the nation.
Balarabe said: “He was a good and hardworking officer who worked for the unity of this nation and one of the leaders needed to make adequate corrections in this country.
“Today, I offer condolences to Adebayo’s family, and my sympathy and prayers to the people of Ekiti, Nigeria and the continent as they mourn the passing away of a man of the people, old fine military officer.”
Balarabe described him as a world leader, who played a significant role in his days as a military man and upon retirement, influenced the direction of various affairs and welfare of the nation.
Chief Remia Adikwu-Bakare, a society woman and politician, described the death as a great loss and sad time for the country.
She said Adebayo portrayed gentleness and having served as the governor of the defunct Western Region, left a worthy legacy.
Adikwu-Bakare said: “Although he had served as a governor for a very long time, he was almost the best governor the axis ever produced.
“His sincerity, selflessness and commitment will forever be remembered; may
God rest his soul and give the family and the nation the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Adebayo became governor after Colonel Francis Adekunle Fajuyi’s death in the 1966 coup, ruling from August 4, 1966 to April 1971.
Gboyega Aribisogan, a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, described his death as a pain to the continent.
Aribisogan said Adebayo was a man who, through determination, replicated good governance at the old Western Region.
He said Adebayo, as an elder statesman, lived exemplary life in the service to humanity and would continue to live in the mind of every Nigerian.
Aribisogan said: “As a closure in the life of men, Adebayo will always be remembered for his legacy, mostly the importance of education and civilisation.
“As an Ekiti man, he was a leader who gave back to the people what they truly deserved; Adebayo was an ICON whose beats will continue to reverberate through the length and breadth of the continent; may his soul rest in peace.”
Adebayo was born in 1928 in the present Ekiti State and joined the West African Frontier Force in 1948 as a regiment signaler.
He later completed the Officer Cadet Training Course in Teshie, Ghana, from 1950 to 1952 and later passed the War Office Examination for Commonwealth Cadets in 1952 and the West African qualifying examination in 1953.
Adebayo was commissioned as an officer in the Royal West African Frontier Force as the 23rd West African military officer with number WA23 and 7th Nigerian military officer with number N7.
He later attended the Staff College course in Kimberley (Surrey) in 1960 and the prestigious Imperial Defence College, London in late 1965, where he was the only African officer.
He was constantly commended for promoting agricultural extension services and for establishing the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State as governor of the western region.
He was also known to have rejected the use of force in resolving the Biafran crisis.
Adebayo later became the Chairman of the Committee on the Reconciliation and Integration of the Igbos (Biafrans) back into the Nigerian fold.
Before his death, he was Chairman of the Yoruba Council of Elders.
His eldest son, Niyi Adebayo, was a Governor of Ekiti State from 1999 to 2003.
NAN.
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