Buhari, Fayemi, Abiodun Mourn as Olurin Dies at 76

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

President Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun yesterday expressed condolences on the death of former Sole Administrator of Ekiti State, Brig-Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd).

In a statement by Babatunde Olurin yesterday, the family said the late former military officer passed on Friday at 76 after a brief illness at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

The statement said: “It is with a deep sense of loss but gratitude to Almighty God for a life well lived that we announce the passing of Brigadier General Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd).

“He passed away on the 20th of August 2021 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital after a brief illness.
“In 27 years of service to the Nigerian Army, Olurin served as the military administrator of Oyo state, the General Officer Commanding the three armoured division and the ECOMOG field commander in Liberia.

“He also served as the sole administrator of Ekiti state and was a governorship candidate in the 2011 Ogun State gubernatorial elections.”
The statement added that burial arrangements would be announced soon.

Olurin, a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, served as Sole Administrator of Ekiti State for six months between October 19, 2006 and April 27, 2007 during the state of emergency imposed by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in the wake of political crisis that engulfed the state at the time.

Olurin, who was born in Ilaro, Ogun State on December 3,1944, also governed Oyo State from 1985-1988. He served as the Field Commander of the ECOMOG Peace keeping Force in Liberia between 1992 and 1993.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, joined family, friends and professional colleagues in mourning the military officer, who served the country meritoriously in his career, extending support when he was called upon as military governor in Oyo State, and later as sole administrator in Ekiti State.

The president, therefore, commiserated with government and people of Ogun, Ekiti and Oyo states over the demise of Olurin.

He noted Olurin’s efforts in community development, particularly in his state, Ogun, willingly putting his experience and knowledge at the service of various governments.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi described Olurin’s death as a great loss to Nigeria, Ogun State, his home state and Ekiti, which he helped administer during the six-month emergency rule.

The governor pointed out that the deceased discharged his duties as the sole administrator of Ekiti State with a great measure of fairness and firmness and left some legacies he would remembered for in the annals of history of the Land of Honour.

Fayemi said although the late Olurin was a soldier, he was a man of the people who was much concerned about their welfare and ever ready to solve problems brought to his attention.

He expressed sadness that Olurin’s demise came just few weeks after the death of a distinguished daughter of Ekiti, Mrs. Abike Sonoiki, who also served during the emergency rule as Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
He prayed God to grant the family and associates of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss, urging them to be consoled by the legacies of service, selflessness and excellence he left behind.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the immediate family and associates of our amiable General Olurin. Our prayer is that God will grant the deceased eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

On his part, Abiodun expressed shock over the death of Olurin, who he described as a gallant military officer and astute administrator in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin yesterday.

According to Abiodun, the death of the former civilian Administrator of Ekiti State occurred at a time the country and Ogun State needed his security expertise in tackling various security challenges confronting the nation.

He added that the late general was an illustrious son of Ogun State, who put the state and Nigeria on the global map with his exploits when he served as the ECOMOG Commander in Liberia.

He said: “On behalf of my family and the people of Ogun State, I commiserate with the entire Olurin Family of Ilaro. The demise of one of Nigeria’s finest military officers is a painful loss to our state and the country.

“We shall continue to remember the late General for his meritorious service to his fatherland as well as statesmanship. He shall be sorely missed not only by his family and kinsmen in Ilaro, but the entire people Ogun, and by extension Nigeria.”

In a related development, Fayemi also mourned the death of Pa Olajide Olabode, who once drove the late sage and first Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Pa Olabode, an indigene of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, died on Friday at the age of 89. Pa Olabode’s demise was painful even though he had lived a long, fulfilling and inspiring life.

The governor noted that Olabode’s life is an inspiring story for many young people who have lost hope of actualizing their dreams, saying the deceased had the resilient spirit of excellence, which Ekiti people are known for.

He added that although the deceased’s parents could not afford to send him to secondary school having finished Standard V, he was determined to be a successful man and found the right way to make his life count.

Fayemi said Olabode’s story was a fulfilment of the holy writ that “the gift of a man will pave way for him and will make him stand before great men”; adding that the deceased had the opportunity of ‘riding with presidents’ and great leaders which he ordinarily would not have been able to do if had chosen another route to actualize his dream.

Fayemi said the visit of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and himself to Pa Olabode’s residence in 2019 was a testament that Olabode served the late Awolowo with integrity; noting that the people of Ekiti State, regardless of their status and age, “are people of integrity.

The governor said the late Olabode would continue to be celebrated as an icon of resilience, excellence and hard work as well as a source of inspiration for everyone who is confronted with challenges at the point of actualising their dreams.

He prayed God “to give the deceased’s family the fortitude to bear the loss. Pa Olabode’s death is a great loss to us in Ekiti State. He was a perfect example of the resilient spirit that Ekiti people have whenever they intend to achieve great tasks.

“He defied his family background and chose the hard way to become a great man like his contemporaries. He was a driver who earned the trust of his bosses. His integrity must have endeared him to Chief J.E. Babatola who introduced him to Chief Awolowo and ended up driving African presidents such as Kwame Nkrumah, Sylvanus Olympio, Julius Nyerere and the great Zik among others”.

“We will never forget how he, in his little way, was able to prove to the world that Ekiti people are hardworking, trustworthy and can do great things. On behalf of the government and people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with Pa Olabode’s family, and pray that the good Lord will console them and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”