…declares 3-day mourning

• Ondo Speaker, Eyitayo Jegede, Agboola Ajayi, Adu Cubana, others grieve

By Adedotun Ajayi & Ayodele Popoola

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Prominent Nigerians, including Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, have joined other residents of the state to mourn the late Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tayo Oluwatuyi.

Oluwatuyi, fondly called Tuykana, passed away on Saturday while receiving treatment in a hospital, after a ghastly motor accident.

Sympathisers, in their hundreds, stormed his private residence in Akure, following the announcement of his demise, paying glowing tributes.

The sympathisers included political associates, top government officials, friends, and extended family members, many who initially thought his death was a fake rumour.

In his remarks, a visibly touched Governor Aiyedatiwa described the late Oluwatuyi as a man who lived a fulfilled life and made positive impacts on many.

He gave the remarks on Sunday when he led members of the State Executive Council on a condolence visit to the widow and other family members of the late Oluwatuyi in Akure.

Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that the late Oluwatuyi was a recurring figure in the politics and governance of Ondo State, adding that the history of the state would be incomplete without acknowledging his contributions.

The governor also spoke via video call with the children of the deceased, who are based abroad.

Extolling Oluwatuyi’s virtues, Aiyedatiwa described him as a complete gentleman who conducted his public and private life with decorum and humility.

Praying for the repose of Oluwatuyi’s soul, the governor assured the family of government’s support “during this difficult time”.

In the condolence register, the Governor wrote: “Hon Tayo Oluwatuyi, you came, you lived, you performed your God-given tasks and impacted lives. You have decided to leave us at a time we never expected, but God has called you home. May you find rest in the bosom of your Creator. Amen.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Pastor Ayoade Babalola, led a prayer session for the family, the Akure community, and the state.

In honour of the late SSG, Governor Aiyedatiwa declared a three-day period of mourning and prayers, from Sunday, 5th January to Tuesday, 7th January.

Similarly, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Olumuyiwa Adu, popularly known as Adu Cubana, expressed his condolences to the family, government, and people of Ondo State.

In a heartfelt statement, Dr Adu described the loss as deeply traumatic, unfortunate, and heartbreaking.

Reflecting on his relationship with the deceased, he referred to Oluwatuyi as a long-time friend and a distinguished son of Akure Kingdom, whose untimely death had left an irreplaceable void.

“I commiserate with the friends and family members of our brother, Okelisa Quarters, Akure Kingdom, the All Progressives Congress, and the Ondo State Government on this colossal loss,” Adu remarked.

He further extolled Oluwatuyi’s legacy, highlighting his dedication to duty, administrative excellence, grassroots appeal, philanthropy, and unwavering support for democratic ideals.

“My heart goes out to all the loved ones he left behind, including his political associates,” he added.

Concluding his tribute, Furthermore, Dr Adu prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved and eternal rest for the deceased.

Similarly, a national leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Balogun Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, in his condolence message to the family, the Ondo State government, and the people of Akure, lamented that Akure and Ondo State had once again lost one of their best.

He described the late Oluwatuyi as an astute politician, a community leader, a public servant of repute, a sportsman, and a friend to the underprivileged.

“My heart goes out to his widow and children. May God give them the strength and courage needed during this difficult time.

“Tuykana’s unexpected and untimely death reminds us of the transient nature of life and the futility of our existence. God gives, and only Him takes.

“Adieu Tuykana. Good night, my dear brother. May God accept your soul and heal the wounds of this tragic loss. Rest in perfect peace, Tuykana,” Jegede remarked.

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, also paid a visit to the family, expressing sadness and shock over the SSG’s death.

Describing the late Oluwatuyi as a selfless and amiable personality with a high sense of humility, Oladiji said his contributions to the development of Ondo State would not be forgotten in a hurry.

State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Ade Adetimehin, expressed deep sorrow at the loss, noting that Oluwatuyi was an exceptional leader whose contributions were pivotal to the state’s development.

In a heartfelt statement, Adetimehin described the late Oluwatuyi as a man of integrity and fairness, whose leadership touched many lives.

Also, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development. Mr. Gbenga Olaniyi, in his condolence message, said, “It’s a moment of monumental loss and grief for all the sons and daughters of Akure in particular and Ondo state in general.

“The sad memory of irreparable loss will live with us for a long period of time!.

” Alas! another political giant of Akure Kingdom has just gone suddenly to rest with the Lord! Too grievous to bear. I pray the almighty God will grant us the solace to cope with the heartbreaking and devastating moment.

“I want to use this medium to commiserate  with the immediate and extended family of the departed soul,” he condoled.

Equally, Forum of Former Political Appointees (FFPA) under former Governor Olusegun Mimiko has expressed condolences to Governor Aiyedatiwa.

In a letter signed on behalf of the Forum by Comrade Femi Bosede, a former Senior Special Assistant on Union Matters, the Forum Stated, “We write to express our heartfelt condolences to His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on the demise of our dear SSG, Hon. Temitayo Oluwatuyi.

“We also empathise with the state government, the people of the state and his family. The news came to us as a rude shock.”

The Forum described Oluwatuyi’s death as shocking; noting that it was an irreparable loss to the progressives’ fold of the All Progressives Congress and the State at large.

It stated that said SSG ( Temitayo Oluwatuyi) was a notable figure who served Ondo State meritoriously and was reputed for contributing meaningfully to the development of the state.

“No doubt, we shall miss our Dear SSG. But he will be remembered for his diligence, discipline, and dedication to good causes. May God grant him eternal rest and comfort the family,” the Forum added.

In the same vein, a former Deputy Governor of Ondo State and Candidate of the PDP in the last November 16  Ondo State gubernatorial election, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, has lamented the passing of the SSG, describing it as  “most painful, unexpected,mand untimely.”

Ajayi said, “With deep sadness, I learned  of the demise of a community-oriented, humble, dogged and grassroots politician, whose achievement as a man of the people can not be overemphasised.

“The late SSG  was a  mobiliser who did not waiver in the face of adversity. He was firm and solid in his beliefs and convictions, and it was almost impossible to sway him from them. He was very passionate about the downtrodden and vulnerable,” he extolled.

Meanwhile, a family source confirmed that the deceased’s corpse would soon arrive from the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, where he breathed his last.

A family member who spoke with The Hope revealed that the late SSG had been responding to treatment and was able to communicate with people before his condition unexpectedly deteriorated.

It was further disclosed that both the state government and his family were making arrangements to fly him abroad for advanced medical care when he suddenly passed away.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Omobomi Temidayo Osadeyi said the news of Oluwatuyi’s death came as a rude shock, describing it as a great loss to the family and the Akure Kingdom as a whole.

“The family has just held a meeting, and we have agreed to convene on Wednesday at the family house at Oke-Lisa to plan the burial,” he stated.