Deji of Akure joins ancestors at 63 •Jonathan, Tambuwal, others condole with Mimiko

THE Deji of Akure, who is also the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida, Afunbiowo II has joined his ancestors at 63.

The traditional leader, who turned 63 on August 12, died early in the early hours of Sunday after battling with what Nigerian Tribune gathered be a lung infection.

According to palace sources, Adesida joined his forefathers at about 2.00 a.m. in the palace after he was attended to by a team of medical experts.

It was learnt that the traditional ruler had developed some complications on Tuesday and had since been under the careful watch of medical experts.

However, sources informed that the ruler went into coma on Friday following which reinforcement of medical personnel was called for.

Medical consultants were also said to have been drafted from the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, to provide adequate medical attention to the ruler.

Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, was said to have visited the palace on Saturday evening and left with a plan to have the traditional ruler taken out of the country on Sunday.

Following the development, the popular Oja Oba Market, on the  Oba Adesida market, has since been closed according to tradition and may not be opened until a regent is installed.

Shop owners were, however, seen removing there wares from their shops in the Erekesan Market, as the closure of the market will affect their sales as Christmas is approaching.

Reacting to the development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state expressed concern for the death of Adesida.

A statement by the Director of Publicity of the party, Ayo Fadaka, said, “the PDP notes with concern news of the untimely transition of the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Afunbiowo II. His death is, indeed, a great loss to Akure kingdom, which he led until his death and the state traditional institution, which he also led as Chairman of the Council of Obas.

“His reign as Deji of Akure though short, was equally remarkable. His loss is indeed devastating and we pray that God will give his family and the institution he represented the fortitude to bear his loss.

“We equally condole the people of Akureland and encourage them to be strong in this trying time. We pray that God in His infinite mercy will rest his soul peacefully.”

It is shocking —Mimiko
The Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has described the transition of the Deji of Akure  as shocking to the marrows, lamenting further that “the tiger has fallen into a deep sleep.”

The  governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola, said the news of the demise of the first-class royal father and Chairman of Ondo State Council of Chiefs was “shocking to the marrows, not because we do not know of the eventuality of death, but that Afunbiowo II was not only vibrant and agile, but also active and had an aura of health and life around him.”

Bemoaning the demise of the Oba, Mimiko said he was at a loss of “what to say about a great royal father, a true leader of our people, a committed backer of the cause of development and a devout servant of God.”

Jonathan condoles  Mimiko, Akure people
President Goodluck Jonathan has, on behalf of himself and the Federal Government,  commiserated with Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the people of Akure and Ondo State on the transition of  the Deji of Akure, Oba Adesida.

A statement issued by presidential spokesman, Dr Rueben Abati in Abuja, on Sunday, said Jonathan also extended sincere condolences to the family and relatives of the late leader who ascended the throne of his forefathers in August 2010.

It said as they mourned Oba Adesida, “who has sadly passed on just a little over three years after his coronation,” the president urged them to take solace in the belief that God’s will was unquestionable and must always prevail.

Jonathan assured Governor Mimiko, the late leader’s family and the people of Akure of his sympathy and solidarity with them as they grieve over Oba Adesida’s demise.

Tambuwal mourns him too
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has commiserated with the government and people of Ondo State over the demise of the Deji of Akure.

In a message of condolence issued on his behalf in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described the paramount ruler as a man of culture who worked tirelessly for stability, unity and progress of his domain.

He said the deceased’s impact had been felt well beyond the shores of Ondo State, adding that as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, he had benefitted immensely from the late Deji’s wise counsel and deep knowledge of governance and contemporary world issues.

He will be greatly missed  ­—Ajimobi
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has commiserated with the people of Akure and the Ondo State government over the death of the Deji of Akurel, Oba Adesida.

He said that the late Deji was a good traditional leader who would be sorely missed by the people and all his friends, among whom he was one.

Ajimobi said this in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo.

“I am indescribably shocked at the passing of the highly respected monarch. He was my personal friend of many years and I confirm the words of encomium that are being showered on him for the wonderful leadership he offered the people of Akureland and Ondo State in general during his brief reign as the Deji,” Ajimobi said.

Amosun mourns
Also, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has mourned the passing away of  the Deji of Akure at the age of 63 years.

 In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, Senator Amosun commiserated with the royal family of Ojijigogun, the government and people of Ondo State over Oba Adebiyi who has joined his ancestors.

The governor described his death as shocking, as it came at a time when his counsel was needed most.

“He was a true patriot, who served his people well. Our sincere condolences and sympathy are with the government and people of Ondo State, and the Ojijigogun royal family at this sad time,” he said.

It is a personal loss —Alao-Akala  
Former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, who is also the Basorun Atunluto of Akure, has described the death of Oba Adesida as  very shocking and a personal loss to him.

Alao-Akala, in a statement, said the news of the sudden death of “my bosom friend, good brother and confidant came to me as a rude shock. Indeed, I am short of words to describe this unfortunate incident, as it is a great personal loss to me and my family.”

Alao-Akala said “the death is much more painful as just very recently, we were together in Lagos at the wedding ceremony of his son. Little did I know that it would be the last time I would see my brother and friend. It is, indeed, very sad and unfortunate,” the former governor added.

We’ve lost a patriot —Prince Adetokunbo Kayode
The late Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida has been described as a patriot and a rare gem whose demise would be greatly missed by many within and outside Ondo State.

Former Defence Minister, Adetokunbo Kayode, who made the observation while reacting to the exit of the traditional leader, said the late  Oba dedicated his life to the development of Akure and Yorubaland.

“During his lifetime, he was a patriot who had passion for development and progressive ideals. He was a rare gem and a royal father of great virtues.

“I comiserate with the royal familiy, Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the good people of Akure and Ondo State in general,” the former minister said.