Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has described the death of a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleoso, as loss of a great patriot and the end of an era.
This was as the state government has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased. It also disclosed that the late Chief Koleoso would be given a befitting state burial.
These were disclosed in two separate press releases by the state in reaction to the death, on Monday, of Chief Koleoso who was a former National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
Governor Makinde stated that Oyo State and Nigeria have lost a great patriot and a political icon, who played outstanding roles in national development.
He noted that Koleoso who, until his death, was the Babalaje of Saki, was one of the last men standing from a generation of great men and women who gave their best to serving the state and the country.
Makinde expressed his condolences to the immediate and political families of the deceased leader, the people of Saki and all residents of the state, praying to God to grant everyone the fortitude to bear the loss.
“I received the news of the death of Baba Michael Koleoso, the Babalaje of Saki with shock and sadness.
“Oyo State and Nigeria have lost a great patriot and selfless leader, one of the last men standing in the batch of leaders who gave their all to make Nigeria a better place.
“People who know me know that I had a special bond with Babalaje; I held him as a father and had the utmost regard for him, as he was a courageous and upright leader who spoke truth to power.
“We’ve relied on his guidance and wealth of experience in guiding our great state to greatness, and Babalaje did love this state till his dying days.
“I express my condolences to the Koleoso family of Saki, his political family spread across the state and Nigeria as well as the people of Saki and Oyo State.
“It is the end of a glorious era and we can only pray to God to grant repose to the soul of our Baba,” Makinde stated.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State government has directed that the national flag should be flown at half-mast in the state for seven days in honour of the late Chief Michael Koleoso.
The state acting governor, Alhaji Bayo Lawal, gave the directive when he lead a top government delegation on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased at his Akobo, Ibadan residence, on Tuesday.
The acting governor also disclosed that the state government would give the late Chief Koleoso a befitting burial.
Lawal paid glowing tributes to the late Chief Koleoso, describing him as an astute politician, a reservoir of knowledge for all politicians and a patriot.
He said the late political icon contributed immensely to the development and growth of Nigeria, Oyo State, his immediate town and constituency, Saki, in the Oke-Ogun Zone of the state.
Lawal noted that Chief Koleoso would be remembered as a progressive who always stood for the truth and devoted himself to championing fairness and equity for all, irrespective of their political parties.
The acting governor stressed that Chief Koleoso, during his lifetime, was a strong supporter of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration. He noted that his death should reunite all politicians, irrespective of political or religious leaning.
Responding on behalf of the immediate family, the first daughter of the deceased, Mrs Yemisi Baiki, thanked the state governor for his show of love and care for their father during his lifetime. She described the death of Chief Koleoso as a big loss to everyone.
On the entourage of the acting governor were the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Sanni.
Others included former Deputy Governors Hamid Gbadamosi and Iyiola Oladokun; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo and other political stalwarts in the state.
