The late former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina, was interred on Sunday evening amid eulogies by prominent Nigerians and declaration of seven days of mourning by the Oyo State Government.
Adesina, who was buried in Ibadan, Oyo State, died at 71.
The President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, said he is saddened by the death.
In a statement by presidential aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan said: “President Goodluck Jonathan is deeply saddened by the passing away of elder statesman and former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina.
“On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Alhaji Adesina’s family and the Government and people of Oyo State.
“The President joins late Alhaji Adesina’s family, relatives, friends, associates and all who knew him in mourning the renowned educationist and political leader who devoted his entire adult life to working for the progress of his people and the nation.
“President Jonathan believes that Alhaji Adesina’s indefatigability in political struggles as well as his honesty, integrity, sincere commitment and dedication to the service of his people before and during his tenure as governor have ensured that he will be honoured and remembered by present and future generations as an exemplary leader who did his utmost best to improve the lives of his people.
“He prays that God Almighty will receive Alhaji Adesina’s soul and grant him eternal rest.”
The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, described Adesina as a progressive who stood on the side of the people at all times.
Mark, in a condolence message to the government and people of Oyo State on demise of Adesina, said the former governor would be remembered for his passion, selfless service and love for the ordinary Man.
He lamented that Adesina died at a time when his wealth of experience and administrative acumen were needed to navigate through the challenging political situation at the moment.
According to Mark: “Death is a necessary end that must come when it shall. We are however consoled that late Adesina contributed positively to the development of the society during his life time. He left an indelible footprint on the sand of time. He left a legacy of service to the society, honesty and commitment to the ideals of nationhood.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the passing away of Adesina has robbed Nigeria of a vibrant voice of democracy.
In a tribute to Adesina contained in a statement by his media office in Abuja, the former PDP presidential aspirant noted that despite his age, the late governor of defunct Alliance for Democracy was actively engaged in the struggle to protect our democracy from dictatorship.
Driven by a remarkable courage of conviction, he said Adesina was never hesitant to speak the truth to power, despite the potential dangers of official intimidations and harassment.
Atiku, who described Adesina as a reliable friend of the people, praised his virtues of selflessness to public service.
A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, described the demise of Adesina as a huge loss to the country.
Kalu, in a statement on Sunday, said Adesina will be missed for his noble contributions to the socio-economic and political development of Oyo State and Nigeria.
The statement, signed by Oyekunle Oyewumi, said Kalu described Adesina as a visionary leader who saw beyond his leadership of Oyo State when he was governor.
Oyewumi quoted Kalu as saying: “When Lam, as we fondly called him, was the governor in Oyo State, the projects he undertook were not only geared towards developing a state he was passionate about but situated within the context of developing the country as a whole.
“In choosing the projects he undertook, especially roads, he looked at it from the context of its benefit to Oyo State and Nigeria at large, especially for itinerant traders who make use of the network of roads within his state and connecting roads to other parts of the country in moving around their goods.
“There is no doubt that his intellectual capacity stood him out when he was in government.”
Kalu described Adesina as a great mind and one committed to justice and fairness on both national and international issues.
He sympathized with his family, the Oyo State Government and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.Lam Adesina dies at 73, Oyo declares 7 days of mourning
The Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on declaring seven days of mourning, described Adesina as “a dedicated patriot, foremost defender of democracy and human rights, and political war-horse who had always stood on the side of truth.”
The Action Congress of Nigeria described the death of Adesina as a devastating blow to the party in particular and a big loss to the nation in general.
In a statement issued in Ibadan on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said with the demise of the former governor, Nigeria has lost an irrepressible voice of conscience.
The statement said: “Lam Adesina has remained a constant fixture in the nation’s body polity for over three decades, either as a newspaper columnist, member of the House of Representatives, social and political critic, prisoner of conscience, state governor, or an elder statesman.
“Though deceptively meek, he was a political lion who was ferociously effective. A perfect validation of the saying that all politics is local, Lam Adesina never lost control or confidence of his people. Even during the locust years when the PDP captured the body of Oyo State politics, the soul of the people remained with the former Governor.”
The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, described as a rude shock the death of Adesina.
In a statement issued by his Director of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said the death of Adesina would create a huge political vacuum not only in the South West but Nigeria as a whole.
The governor said Adesina, during his life, was an astute politician of the progressive hue, administrator, a teacher of teachers, leader of men, a progressive and believer in people’s government.
Aregbesola said: “Alhaji Lam Adesina was an insightful politician, bridge builder and a listening leader. He fought relentlessly with others for the democracy the country now enjoys.
“Particularly, during the locust years and twilight of brutal military rule, Lam was among the political leaders, including the late Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige, rounded up as Prisoners of War (POW) in broad daylight in Ibadan by the government of late General Sani Abacha.
“These leaders never wavered and remained undaunted until the military withdrew back to the barracks. His contributions during dark days of military spoke volumes of a leader, a freedom fighter with selfless interest.
“Thus, he became the Governor of Oyo State in 1999 when democracy returned. I have strong conviction that he led a meaningful life, a life worthy of emulation and has carved a niche for himself in the hallowed political chamber of Nigeria.
“He would be remembered for his contributions to growth and progress of his state, South-West and the country.
“On behalf of myself and the people of Osun, I offer our condolences to the entire family of Lam Adesina, the people of Oyo State, the ACN political family and Nigeria in general. We pray that Almighty Allah grants the departed soul Aljaana Firdaus.”
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