Former Governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has commiserated with the family of Reverend Tola Awolowo-Oyediran, the daughter of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo who passed away on Friday.
Mimiko in a statement, on Sunday, said Oyediran’s death has yet robbed the nation of another patriotic senior citizen who held the interest of the nation so dear to her heart and was committed to any activity that will move the nation forward.
The former Governor said, the deceased, during her lifetime protected and carried on with the legacies of the late Obafemi Awolowo and was a great representative of the family.
“It is noteworthy to recall how Reverend Oyediran distinguished herself as an exemplary leader of the Awolowo lineage after the demise of Mama HID Awolowo and showed a high level of commitment to activities that will move the nation forward, just like her father.
“In her capacity as the Chairman, Board of Directors of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN), publishers of Nigerian Tribune newspaper, Reverend Oyediran also displayed a high level of diligence and dutifulness to service that has kept the newspaper among the best in the country,” Mimiko said.
While commiserating with the Awolowo and Oyediran families, staff and management of the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, Mimiko prayed that God grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Iba Gani Adams, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi,expressed shock at the news of the Awolowo matriarch’s death, noting that the demise was a huge loss to the Yoruba race.
The Yoruba generalisimo described the late chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, publishers of the Tribune titles, Mrs. Tola Oyediran, as great a loss to the entire country.
“My heart-felt condolences go to my sister,Dr.Tokunbo Awolowo- Dosumu,and to the management of Tribune Newspapers, the Oyedirans and most especially, the Awolowo families, on the death of the eldest daughter of the first Premier of Western Region,the late Pa Obafemi Awolowo, who died in Ibadan yesterday.
It was a great loss to me personally however, the late Rev. Oyediran would be remembered for her humility and efforts in sustaining the legacies of the late sage alongside my sister,Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu,who is also a co-chairman of the ANN PLC.
“I wish to also express my condolences to Prof.Oyediran, the widower,and the children,including the wife of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Dolapo.
“In her life, she was an epitome of humility, a pillar of the Awolowo dynasty and a great woman of substance.She took the baton as chairman of Tribune Titles shortly after the glorious passage of the late Mama HID Awolowo and she made remarkable impact in sustaining the legacies of the Awolowos”
It is a great loss to lose such an amiable mother,I pray that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear this loss and also grant the soul of the departed eternal rest,”
Meanwhile, Aare Adams, also extended his condolences to the Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde on the death of his mother
” I wish to express my condolences to Your excellency on the death of your mother,Mrs. Abigail Makinde, who died last Thursday, October 15.
“Though Mama gave no indication of any sickness, she slept peacefully in the Lord at the age of 81, in Ibadan.May her soul rest in peace, ” Adams said
