73 hours after the demise of a former Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government and Apex Leader of Ikorodu North LCDA, Alh Akibu Adewunmi, political bigwigs have continued to troop to the home of the deceased to pay their last respect to the late politician. Condolence messages have also continued to pour in from notable political office holders and party leaders across Ikorodu Division.
In his condolence message, Senator Tokunbo Abiru expressed sadness at the sudden demise of the political leader.
‘My deepest condolence on the passing of Late Alhaji Akibu Adedoyin Adewunmi, the former Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government’.
‘It is sad that we lost Alhaji Adewunmi at a time when his wealth of experience as an astute politician and grassroot mobilizer will be highly needed’, he added.
‘We however take solace in the fact that Late Alhaji Adewunmi lived a life worthy of emulation and survived by illustrious children among whom is Hon (Mrs) Shukurat Okeowo Adewunmi, a former Sole Administrator, Ikorodu North LCDA’, he continued.
Abiru concluded that, ‘The deceased will always be remembered for his outstanding contributions to political and socio-economic development of Ikorodu Division’.
Meanwhile, House of Representatives member, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon Jimi Benson paid a condolence visit to the house of the deceased political leader, where he personally condoled with wife and children of the APC chieftain.
Similarly, Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon S.O.B Agunbiade said he received the news of the sudden demise of former Chairman of lkorodu Local Government – Alhaji Akibu Adewunmi as a rude shock.
He described the late Baba Adinni of Odongunyan Central Mosque as ‘a distinguished member of the Ikorodu Apex body with uncommon penchant for grassroot mobilization. He had contributed substantially to the development of lkorodu and Lagos State. He would forever be remembered for his steering leadership qualities’, he stated.
Also, APC candidate for Lagos State House of Assembly in Ikorodu Constituency 1, Hon Ogunleye Gbolahan Adetokunbo (OGA) also commiserated with the family of the deceased and the entire APC family in Ikorodu North LCDA, describing his death ‘as a big loss not only to the deceased’s family but the entire Ikorodu Division and Lagos State’.
He said the death of the elder statesman at this critical electoral period was rudely shocking. Ogunleye noted that Adewunmi’s records as Chairman Ikorodu Local Government between 1996 and 1997 remained indelible despite his short stay in office.
‘His performance in office was dazzling. He was exceedingly driven by the need to meet people’s yearnings and aspirations as the Chairman Ikorodu Local Government. Ikorodu people loved him and would never forget him. The facts are there’, he stressed.
Ogunleye who spoke through the Director of Media and Publicity of the OGA Campaign Team, Japheth Odesanya, urged politicians and public servants to emulate the late Adewunmi’s virtue while wishing the family members the strength to bear the colossal loss.
Builder Deola Banjo, the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA also released an official condolence message in reaction to the death of the Ikorodu North LCDA Apex Leader.
Banjo condoled with the children, family members and the political family of Ikorodu North on the passage of Alhaji Akibu Adewunmi.
‘There is no need denying the fact that his fatherly wisdom and leadership guidance would be greatly missed as he was a rallying point for us at the ‘Tower of resources’, he stressed.
Continuing, he said, ‘the fact that he lived a worthy and rich life is a source of consolation for us. He came, he saw and he reached the pinnacle of his career as a politician as the former Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government when it was just one and he was entrusted with so many positions of authority until his death.
Hon Banjo also prayed almighty Allah in his infinite mercy make Alhaji Akibu Adewunmi an inmate of paradise and forgive his shortcomings.
Another Ikorodu North LCDA APC chieftain, Hon.Mathew Aliu Adesanya have also added his voice to the growing list of condolences on the demise of the former Ikorodu Local Government Chairman.
Mathew wrote, ‘It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of our revered leader and former Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Alhaji Akibu Adewunmi, on behalf of my family, I send our deepest condolences to the family and Children at this difficult time’.
‘I am deeply saddened by the death of a great patriot and political heavyweight in Ikorodu North at a time Nigeria is going through a defining moment in the next year’s general election. We will miss his good counsel, support and his wisdom’, he concluded.
Late Alh Akibu Adewunmi died on Thursday at Ikorodu General Hospital after a brief illness and was buried on Friday, 11th November according to Islamic rites.
May Allah accept his return, forgive and overlook his shortcomings, enlarge his grave, save him from the torments of the grave and make him an inmate of His best abode (Jannatul Fridaus.)