The Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola has eulogised the former governor of Oyo state and a National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Lam Adeshina; who died at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos after a protracted illness saying the former governor is an honest politician, dogged fighter for justice and progressive causes.
Mr Fashola along with his counterparts from Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti states and the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Bola Tinubu joined hundreds of well-wishers in Felele, Ibadan to bid farewell to a former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adeshina on Sunday.
In a condolence message, Mr Fashola described Adeshina as a loyal disciple of the sage, Obafemi Awolowo, and a consummate administrator who was thoroughly grounded in the dialectics of the Yoruba.
While condoling with the family of the departed, his Oyo State counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi and the people of the South West in general, Mr Fashola said the former governor was a honest but shrewd politician who takes time to make up his mind on any issue adding that once convinced about the rightness of his decision it becomes difficult to dissuade him.
“Alhaji Lam Adeshina held his political beliefs firmly. He recognized the need to groom the younger generation and was never found wanting in promoting the interest of the youths”, he said.
Mr Fashola said Adeshina was a fighter who never shies away from a good cause, especially when it comes to the Yoruba cause.
“As the Governor of Oyo State, he left indelible marks in various facets, most especially in the education sector where he brought his professional acumen to bear. He would be remembered for his doggedness and steadfastness in ensuring that a progressive party runs the affairs of the South-West”, he said.
The Lagos State governor, who along with other governors and dignitaries condoled with the widow and family of the deceased shortly before the Janazah prayers, prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the Adesina’s soul Al-Janah Firdaus.
Hero of democracy
The Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun also joined other Nigerians to mourn the death of Adesina.
Mr Amosun described the ex-governor as one of the heroes of the democratic struggles in Nigeria. The governor noted that “his death came to us all as a rude shock.”
In a press statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Funmi Wakama, Mr Amosun said he joined millions of Nigerians to mourn the demise of an icon of democracy, whose tenure as governor of Oyo State was remarkable in every quarter of governance.
The governor however recalled the personal sacrifices made by late Adesina during the fight against military dictatorship, saying that “the reserve of democracy crusaders in the country has once again been depleted.”
He condoled with the family, friends and associates of the late politician as well as the leadership of the ACN in Oyo State and Nigeria, urging them to take solace in the fact that Adesina led an exemplary life.
The late Adeshina governed Oyo State from 1999 till 2003 under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) party.
