He was a good Governor Kwara was denied of testing enough – Prof. Hassan Salihu
By: Aminah Salako – Adekunle
Some notable politicians and political analysts in Kwara State have described the death of Former Governor of the State, Senator Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo as a monumental loss to the country.
Late Chief Adebayo was also a Former Senator elected under the umbrella of Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN in 1979, and served as Minister of Communications during the second term tenure of Former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
They described the late Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo as a progressive leader, who was passionate about the development of Kwara State and Nigeria at large.
The Kwara State Secretary, All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Mustapha Ishowo said that late Adebayo was a kind – hearted person, whose efforts in the development of Kwara State remain commendable.
Alhaji Ishowo who went down memory lane, to when the Former Governor was a teacher at the old Kwara Technology, now Kwara State Polytechnic, said Chief Adebayo was a grammarian who paid attention to details, and believed in communal harmony.
The President, Nigeria Political Science Association, Professor Hassan Salihu described late Chief Cornelius Adebayo as a good Governor that Kwara State was denied due to the military coup d’etat of 1983 which aborted his administration.
Prof. Salihu recounted his relationship with the now late Former Governor, when he served as Secretary of a Committee to resolve Erin – Ile/Offa Land dispute chaired by late Cornelius Adebayo.
Professor Salihu maintained that the Former Governor was humane, meticulous and passionate about the development of Kwara State.
A former Member, Kwara State House of Assembly and Leader of Kwara Redemption Movement, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, described late Chief Adebayo as a leader per excellence whose three months as Governor of Kwara State was so impactful, as he created all the Government Day Secondary Schools in the State, a legacy of free education of his party, UPN.
Akogun Oyedepo stated that, that singular act was a pointer to what he could have done, if he was not unseated by the military government.
The renowned politician praised Chief Adebayo’s vision and developmental – spirit, when he served as the State Commissioner for Education in 1975 and also as Minister of Communication, during the second term regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2003.
Also, a Chieftain of APC, Pro – Chancellor and Chairman, Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Prof. Wale Sulaiman eulogized the selfless progressive spirit of the late iconic former Governor and maintained that his legacy would continue to inspire generations.
Prof. Sulaiman described late Cornelius Adebayo as a rare statesman who saw politics as a call to serve and uplift his people.
He commiserated with Adebayo’s family, Oke Onigbin community and Kwara State on the passing of the visionary leader.
Late Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo was born on February 24, 1941 in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He died at the age of 84.
