‘A Shining Example For All’ – Hon. Saliu, Onanuga Extol Legacies Of Late Chief Olayemi

By Babatunde Kaka

• Chief Olayemi’s call to glory was a big loss to Epe Division – Onanuga

• Chief Olayemi left  a shining example to those coming behind – Adeniyi

The Chairman of Eredo LCDA, Hon. Adeniyi Saliu, has described the late Alhaji Chief GA Olayemi, has a man of integrity and extraordinary brilliance.

Chief Olayemi, a political gladiator of Epe stock, died on January 9th at the age of 89.

Saliu, who spoke over the weekend at 8th day Fidau prayer held in honour of the late exceptional administrator at his Odo-Shiwola residence in Eredo LCDA, extol the altruism disposition and open-mindedness of chief Olayemi.

He described the octogenarian, in an interview with Ekohotblog, as a father to all whose impacts have benefitted all and sundry. He also stated that the enviable legacies Chief Olayemi left behind is a shining example to those coming behind most importantly, Public Servants.

” We have lost a Statesman, a leader, father and we are here to pray for the repose of his soul and to also celebrate the good life that he has led. we are here to show appreciation to God for the life he lived and to showcase his life as a shining example to a lot of us coming behind him especially in public service. Chief Olayemi was a lot of things to a lot of us, be it in Eredo, Epe or Ikosi/Ejinrin and Lagos State. At a point in his life, he was DG, Teaching Service Commission TESCOM, former Vice Chairman, unified Epe Local Government and he was the pioneer Chairman, Eredo LCDA. So in different capacities he has served, he has benefitted a lot of people, he has impacted the lives of so many.

“He has left behind legacies of uprightness, integrity, he was an extremely brilliant and intelligent man, he knows his onions. He came to his job with a lot of grits and confidence which we have learnt from him. He was a very factual person with numbers on his palm. He was someone who accommodated a lot of people, he was open-minded and his doors were open all day. He played the role of a father to a lot of us as a very active politician. He was always there to offer advice and guidance. God was very kind to him”, he said.

Hon. Saliu prayed to the Almighty God to grant the family fortitude to bear his loss, while also stating that it was difficult to lose a good man like Baba Olayemi. He, however, implored the families he left behind to emulate his good life of integrity, competence and uprightness as he harnessed his resources to the service of humanity during his lifetime.

In the same vein, his counterpart from Ikosi Ejinrin LCDA, Hon. Dr Onanuga Samson stated that Chief Olayemi’s call to glory was a big loss to Epe Division. Dr Onanuga, however, described the late sage as a well-grounded grassroots leader who is accommodating to all an a force to reckon in Epe Division political landscape.

” He is a wonderful man, Baba Olayemi is one of the grassroots leaders in our area here. When you talk about leaders in Epe Division, he is a man to reckon with because he held all his political followers in high esteem. When he retired as DG TESCOM, he was the pioneer Chairman of Eredo LCDA. He lived a good life, he is very accomodating and kind to all. Baba accommodates everybody, I am from Agbowa in Ikosi Ejinrin LCDA. So, whenever you see Baba, he accommodates all party members. He is a party faithful man, we love him too much, he is a great loss for us “, he said.

Earlier, the prayer session anchored by Alhaji Imam Khamis was organized by the Eredo LCDA branch of Lagos State League of Imams and Alfas under the spiritual leadership of Alhaji Imam Hammed Soliu.
Alhaji Fadeelat Sheikh Akeusola Balogun, Deputy Chief Missioner, Zumuratul Islamiyyah Society of Nigeria, Lagos State branch, Imam AbdulGaniyy Alayaki, Alhaji Sheikh Abdulkabir Ayinla, Mufty of Epe, Alhaji Shittu Komaadan, Chief Imam Papa Central Mosque, Epe, Alhaji Sheikh Sheriffdeen Ashalejo, the Noibul Imam of Ibonwon representing the Chief Imam of Ibonwon Central Mosque also graced the event.

Notable guests who paid their last respect at the fidau prayers include Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo ably represented by Alara-in-Council Chiefs as custom demands, Alhaji Akanni Seriki Bamu, APC Governor Advisory Council member, Alhaji Odeyemi Wastab, Eredo LCDA APC Apex leader, Hon. Adedoyin Adesanya, Alhaji Allison, APC party stalwart, Hon. Segun Agbaje and Hon. Muritala ( both former Epe Local Government Chairmen), Hon. Akeem Shittu, Member SUBEB, Chief Bode Alausa, Alhaja Bankole, APC State Welfare Secretary, Mrs Stella Oladunjoye, Alhaji W Taiwo, Eredo LCDA Vice-Chairman, Mrs Olajumoke Saliu, Eredo LCDA Chairperson, Mr Kehinde Adeniyi, Epe APC LGA Chairman amongst others.

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