The Governor of the State of Osun, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, on Friday paid condolence visits to the families of his late Deputy Chief of Staff on General Administration, Barrister Mikhail Adejare Adebisi, in Ilobu and the former Chairman, Olorunda North Local Council Development Area, Quadri Ademola Owonikoko, in Oba-Oke.
Adebisi died last week Friday after a protracted illness, while Owonikoko died on Monday, also after a protracted ailment. Contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the death of the duo had nothing to do with COVID-19.
Expressing sadness over the demise of the duo during the separate visits, Oyetola said the death of the departed souls came to him as a rude shock.
He described the deceased as loyal party men who served in their separate positions with high sense of diligence, patriotism, commitment and dedication.
Describing Adebisi as a courageous, reliable and like-mind fellow, Oyetola said his late DCoS would be forever missed and remembered for the impacts he made in the socio-political space in the State.
He noted that the late DCoS while alive, distinguished himself as a thoroughbred professional whose conviction on the policies and programmes of the administration could never be over-emphasized.
Oyetola expressed uncertainty on how to fill the vacuum that the death of his late aide would create, saying “it would be difficult to find a like-mind fellow like Adebisi to continue the job”.
He said the deceased was committed to the transformation agenda of his administration even till his last breath.
However,Governor Oyetola has also described the late Council boss as a grassroots politician par excellence whose style of politics brought a drastic change to the people and the community he served.
He consoled the families of the departed souls just as he said the State government would continue to remember them for good in all it does.
“It is quite unfortunate that we lost two reliable personalities almost at the same time. This is saddening, painful and unexpected.
“There is no doubt in the fact that the duo served with high sense of loyalty, commitment and dedication to duty while alive. We will surely miss them not only in the political family but in the scheme of things in the State.
“As those that they impacted in their lives positively would attest to, the duo of Adebisi and Owonikoko lived worthy lives of emulation as they put in their best in all they did before leaving this planet earth.
“Though death is inevitable, we take solace in the fact that both lived to serve God and humanity.
“As a government, we shall continue to remember them. We will remember the good works and positive impacts they made. We will not forsake the families but rather support them.
“I pray God to repose their gentle souls, grant their immediate families the fortitude and courage to bear the irreplaceable loss, ” Oyetola added.
