GOVERNOR Dapo Abiodun of Ogun Sate has described the passing of Mr Olusegun Awolowo, grandson of the late Nigerian nationalist and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as a personal loss.
The governor, in a condolence message on Thursday in Abeokuta, said the death of the lawyer and former Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council at 62, came as a rude shock.
Abiodun described Awolowo as “a gentleman par excellence, a voice of courage, and a consummate public servant.”
He said he received the news with utter disbelief adding that he would forever treasure memories of their acquaintance.
According to Abiodun, the deceased was affable, highly intelligent, and extremely easy-going, traits which endeared him to many and made his demise even more painful.
“It is extremely hard to process the news that Segun Awolowo Jr. is gone, but we submit unreservedly to the will of the Almighty God, who has called him to His bosom.
“We are deeply heartbroken, but we take consolation in the exemplary lessons his life taught us, for he was indeed a jolly good fellow,” he said.
The governor noted that although Awolowo was born two months after the death of his father and was acquainted with grief from childhood, but he rose above life’s challenges to became an icon in his own right.
He added that his service as Special Assistant to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, as Secretary for Social Development, and later Secretary of Transport between 2007 and 2011, remained exemplary and unblemished.
He said Awolowo’s dedication to national development earned him the unanimous election, in July 2021, as President of National Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) from ECOWAS member state.
“His earthly sojourn may have been brief, but it was hugely impactful,” the governor said.
Abiodun commiserated with his wife and children, the entire Awolowo family, and Nigerians at large, praying that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
“May his gentle soul rest in sweet repose,” he added. (NAN)
