Buhari, Anyaoku, Ribadu, others condole Fayemi over deputy’s death

Former Head of State and presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, General Muhammad Buhari (rtd); former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; the Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema; the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Olufunso Amosun; and former anti-graft boss, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday joined other well meaning Nigerians to condole with the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on the death of his deputy, Funmilayo Olayinka.
Others included former Ministers Alhaji Aliyu Modibbo and Femi Fani-Kayode as well as representatives of the elders forum of Christ School, Ado-Ekiti.
Anyaoku said the death of the Deputy Governor has “left a vacuum that would not be easy to fill.”
He prayed that God will grant the government and people of the state the fortitude to bear the loss.
The former Commonwealth scribe, who lauded the administration for the developmental strides in the state, said the achievements of the government was as a result of good working relationship between the governor and the late deputy governor as well as other cabinet members.
He urged Fayemi not to allow the death of his “co-pilot” discourage him in the quest to actualise the vision of the administration.
Anyaoku said: “I am here to commiserate with you on the death of your deputy governor. This is my first time in this state and I am impressed by the developmental efforts, especially the road networks. This shows that you and your late deputy and the rest of your cabinet are working as a team. Like you said yesterday, she was your co-pilot and that shows she played very important role in the government.
“You should not be discouraged by her death, rather you should strive to ensure that the vision to develop the state is actualised.”
Governor Shema, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Abdullahi Faskari, described Olayinka’s death as “a great loss not only to the people of Ekiti State but also all Nigerians.”
Mallam Ribadu in his remarks said the nation had lost a rare gem whom he had worked with, especially during the electioneering period, when he observed her as a hardworking and committed woman.
The former EFCC boss said Olayinka’s dedication and loyalty would be missed by the progressives.
Gubernatorial candidate of the ACN in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, also led a team of delegations from Ondo State on a condolence visit.
Akeredolu opined that there was nothing wrong in seeking medical treatment abroad if the ailments are beyond what could be treated in Nigeria, adding though that the Nigerian Government should pay more attention to the health needs of the citizenry, especially in the area of establishing more cancer research centres across the country.