Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti on Sunday described the death of former Sen. Gbenga Aluko (PDP, Ekiti-South) as shocking and devastating.
Fayemi in a statement in Ado-Ekiti signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said Aluko’s death was a colossal loss to the government and people of Ekiti State.
The Ode-Ekiti-born politician and businessman died on Saturday in Abuja. He was aged 58 years.
Gov. Fayemi said the late Gbenga Aluko was not only a brother and friend, but also a patriotic Ekiti indigene, whose contributions to the development of the state could not be overstated.
“I have lost a dear brother and friend. Senator Aluko’s death is not only a loss to the state but a personal loss to me, having had close and cordial relationship with the deceased spanning four decades,” he said.
Fayemi described the former governorship aspirant as a successful private sector player, refined gentleman and a decent politician who made great impact in almost every aspect of life.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) recalled how the deceased influenced the establishment of a Chest Clinic at the Oba Adejugbe General Hospital in Ado Ekiti, a project which he described as being of great benefit to the State’s health sector.
According to him, the deceased served selflessly in the Ekiti State COVID-19 Response Committee.
Fayemi, who noted the deceased’s brilliance and generosity spirit, said the late Aluko served his fatherland diligently and made Ekiti proud through numerous achievements.
“Senator Gbenga Aluko invested his time, resources and energy on many laudable initiatives that impacted positively on the lives of the people.
He was always ready to support any worthy Ekiti cause with his wealth of experience and extensive national and global contacts.
“For us in Ekiti, this is a huge loss. And it is a personal loss to me.
“We, however, cannot question God but we are consoled by the fact that he lived a decent life of service and made great impact in the lives of the people. He shall be sorely missed.
“On behalf of my wife, the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the Aluko family and pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Fayemi said.
It will be recalled that the late Sen. Aluko, one of the children of the renowned Economist, the late Prof. Sam Aluko, carved an identity for himself as a successful corporate player who got elected onto the Senate of the Federal Republic in 1999 at the age of 36.
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