Dogara extols virtues of murdered Oyo lawmaker, Olatoye

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday described the slain member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Olatoye Temitope (a.k.a. Sugar) as a philanthropist whose love for the downtrodden was legendary.

Dogara made the remark in Ibadan, Oyo State capital during the final burial of the lawmaker who was representing the Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency of Oyo State. The burial took place at the deceased’s Everlasting Gardens and Hotels, General Gas Junction, Iwo Road- Ojoo, Expressway of Ibadan.

Sugar was shot and killed during the March 29, governorship and House of Assembly elections at Lalupon in the Lagelu local government area of Ibadan by some gunmen.

The burial service was attended by thousands of friends, political associates, friends and family members of the deceased under heavy security by men of the Nigerian police and teams of the state anti-crime security outfit, “Operation Burst”.

Represented at the event by the member representing Olorunsogo/Orelope federal constituency of Oyo State, Mr. Bosun Oladele, the Speaker described Sugar as a great man who was brilliant and outstanding in representing his people apart from touching many lives in various ways beyond his constituency.

Dogara, therefore, assured the family of the deceased that the leadership of the National Assembly will ensure that justice prevailed and the killers brought to book. He also promised that the children and family of the deceased will be taken care of according to the House of Representatives practice for their members who lose their lives.

In his sermon before the interment ceremony, Dr J. Nunayon, (a Pastor(, urged the Olatoye family to leave vengeance for God Almighty, assuring that God that the deceased lawmaker served is a God of vengeance.

His advice was sequel to the series of calls and cries by the family of the deceased lawmaker to ensure that the death of their breadwinner did not end up unresolved like some others, while accusing the government at both the federal and state levels of trying to interfere and ensure rue release of the suspects already arrested in connection with the murder.

Many sympathizers were in tears as the remains of the deceased lawmaker were interred with many of the people shouting that justice must be done.

Other dignitaries that bade Sugar bye included members of the Oyo state House of Assembly, clerics, artistes, religious leaders, community leaders and people from different walks of life.