Alao-Akala Was My Friend, Benefactor-Gandhi
A former chairman of Ibadan North Local Government Council, Alhaji Omilabu Gandhi, has described the late former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, as his friend, helper and benefactor whom he will sorely miss.
He said this in a condolence message to the family of the deceased, the Oyo State government and the entire people of the state over the death, on Wednesday, of the former governor.
Gandhi, who is the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Senator Kola Balogun, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, further described the late Otunba Alao-Akala as a political leader who was genuinely concerned about the welfare of the people.
He said the news of the death of the former governor came to him as a rude shock and left him devastated, noting however that Alao-Akala lived a fulfilled life and in pursuit of the interest of the common man.
“My initial reaction to the news of the sudden death of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala was a shock and confusion. I was shocked and confused because I wondered why such a good man should leave the stage now.
“His death was also painful, not only to me but also to numerous other people who had, one way or the other, benefitted from the unending milk of kindness that was flowing in the veins of the former governor.
“For me, and I know that same would apply to several other people, the late Chief Alao-Akala was my great friend, my helper and my benefactor. The story of my life will not be complete without mentioning Adebayo Alao Akala.
“Though it is painful that we lost him, we take solace in the numerous good deeds he did when he was in office as the state governor and even since after he left office in May, 2011.
“Without mincing words, the late former governor was a man of the people. He was concerned about the interest and welfare of both the high and mighty, as well as the poor.
“He was a governor whose type we have never had in this state. He was spending heavily, attending to the welfare of the sick, the aged and even the personal needs of several people on monthly basis.
“Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala was great in life and even greater in death. We can see this in the way and manner of his passage to eternity yesterday [Wednesday].
“His death has shown that we will all get our reward here on earth for either our good or bad deeds. He did not die a painful death. He attended a party in Abuja and returned home to Ibadan peacefully.
“Former Governor Alao-Akala left Abuja and traveled back to Ibadan by air. He did not die in any air mishap. He traveled from Ibadan to Ogbomoso, his hometown, on Tuesday. He did not have accident on the way.
“He got to his house safely without any hitch. We only woke up to the sad news of his death on Wednesday morning. We were told that he died peacefully in his sleep. He did not put his family under any stress taking him to the hospital for any strenuous medical treatment.
“The way and manner of his passage is a clear indication of the fact that we shall all receive the reward for our actions and deeds here on earth and that God is watching over us all.
“As painful as his death is, we have solace in the fact that the late former Governor Alao-Akala positively touched and impacted on the lives of several people in Oyo State.
“I pray that God will grant his soul a peaceful rest and console his family, the state government, the people of Ogbomoso and the entire state,” Alhaji Gandhi stated in the condolence message.
