Nigerians on Wednesday offered condolences and expressed their feelings over the death of elder statesman and former Military Governor of the defunct Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo.
He died on Wednesday morning in Lagos, on the eve of his 89th birthday, having been born on March 9, 1928.
A family source said the former President of Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), suddenly took ill at his GRA Ikeja, Lagos home and was taken to the hospital where he died.
Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described Adebayo as a remarkable statesman who belonged to the last vestiges of Nigeria’s pioneering heroes.
“Chief Adeyinka Adebayo was a proficient administrator as well as an outstanding soldier who fought to keep our country together.
“Much later in his lifetime, he championed the cause of the Yoruba nation in an inclusive Nigerian project, so enviably that historians will eminently have a record of him as a pan-Nigeria advocate,” says Atiku.
The Turakin Adamawa condoled with the Adebayo family and the government and people of Ekiti State over the loss of an illustrious leader, while also praying for the repose of his soul.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, expressed sadness over the demise.
Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Habib Aruna, said Adebayo’s demise was a great loss to the nation, especially the South-West region.
“General Adebayo was a great patriot and one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists who never shied away from expressing his love for his country and his people. He was a brilliant administrator who was known for his dedication and zeal to serve his fatherland.
“Those who know papa would attest to the fact that he was a man of many parts. For the Yoruba nation, this is a great loss. His passion to see the integration of the South West region was second to none. No doubt, we would miss his wise counsel especially at this time when our nation is on a path to rebirth,” the Governor said.
Ambode, while commiserating with the family of the late elder statesman, urged them to uphold the ideals he stood and fought for, saying that the nation will continue to draw inspiration from his life and times.
“His demise, just like that of our heroes past, must never be in vain. There can be no better time to unite together to achieve a better and more prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
He said Adebayo paid his dues and has left his footprints on the sands of time.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) on this great and irreparable loss. He was a pride to our country and we will surely miss him,” Ambode said.
Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described Adebayo as a symbol of unity.
He said the late General was also unapologetic about being a Yoruba man.
Asiwaju’s reaction to the death of the Chairman of the defunct Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), is contained in a statement by his Media Office.
In the statement, the All Progressives National Congress (APC) National Leader said: “General Adeyinka Adebayo was a committed father, true patriot, elder statesman and untiring leader with great acumen.
“Though he was proud to be a Yoruba man, General Adebayo was a symbol of unity in the country. He canvassed against the use of force in resolving the Biafran crisis.
“This position might have informed his appointment after the civil war by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as the Chairman of the Committee on the Reconciliation and Integration of the Ibos back into the Nigerian fold.
“In the military, he distinguished himself. As Governor of the old Western State from August 1966 to April 1971, succeeding late General Adekunle Fajuyi, General Adebayo contributed immensely to the development of the region.
“He particularly promoted agricultural extension services in the region with the establishment of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
“General Adebayo saw himself first and foremost as a Yoruba man before being a Nigerian. His death has further diminished the rank of reputable Yoruba leaders and national icons.
“I wish the General eternal rest. I pray that the children he left behind would continue to push forward the legacies he left behind”.
Also, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, described Adebayo as a Patriot.
The Governor, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the death of General Adeyinka Adebayo has robbed Nigeria, especially the Yoruba race, of an elder statesman.
“General Adeyinka Adebayo served his fatherland well. He was a fine officer of the Nigerian Army and did his best in all the capacities where he served. The history of our country is incomplete with adequate mention of this fine officer,” the statement noted.
Recalling Adebayo’s interests in the growth and the development of the Yoruba race, Aregbesola said the former President of the YCE stopped at nothing to ensure the unity and progress of the Yoruba people.
“We receive with heavy heart the death of one of Nigeria’s finest officers of the Nigerian Army, who fought for the unity of nation.
“No doubt, he is a soldier of repute and commander of men. He distinguished himself in his chosen profession both at home and abroad.
“The history of post-independence Nigeria and the crises that threatened the young nation’s existence will be incomplete without a chapter for this courageous soldier,” Aregbesola said.
Former governor of Old Ondo State, Chief Olabode George, said: “General Adeyinka Adebayo was a nation builder, a nationalist, a pan-Nigerian unifier whose vision and total focus was the unity and the development of the Nigerian State.
“Baba rose far above sectional and parochial interest. He was a warm hearted and loving soul whose defining vision was predicated on the greater glory of our nation.
“In all things, Baba was a mediator and moderator whose reconciliatory fixity was much pronounced at the height of the Nigerian Civil War when he was the Military Governor of the Western Region.
“Baba was genuine, honest, sincere, true to himself and his God. He was a man who haboured no grudges and nursed no disputes nor malice.
“My condolences to Nike and Niyi and of course to Aunty whose task it is now to keep the illustrious family together. Baba did his best. He has now gone to rest in the bosom of our Lord”.
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, also mourned the passing of Adebayo, describing him as a devoted father, leader and administrator with uncommon love and commitment for the progress of his people.
Fayemi, a former governor of Ekiti State said the death of the foremost Yoruba leader, has robbed the Yoruba race and indeed the country of a true patriot and a great leader.
The Minister in a condolence message by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, described the late Adebayo as a distinguished and highly refined leader and elder statesman, who lived his entire active life and retirement working for the unity and progress of the country.
“Baba was fervent in his zeal for the unity and progress of the country. His love for his fellow citizens and his fatherland was legendary. He was a man of great intellect and great taste who attained greatness by dint of hard work and dedication”.
Fayemi recalled his numerous encounters with the late YCE leader while growing up as a young man, and while serving as governor of Ekiti State, describing the deceased as a man of substance with a generous spirit.
“General Adebayo was indeed blessed by God. Papa was a man of distinction, a man of honour and a courageous leader. He was a loving and devoted father not only to his biological children. He was a father to all who came in contact with him. We shall greatly miss his wise counsel, which he gave effortlessly.”
“There is no doubt, Baba’s death has robbed the Yoruba race, indeed Nigeria of a distinguished citizen, patriot and leader. We shall surely miss his wise counsel and generous spirit at this critical stage of our national life.”
Fayemi urged the children of the late elder statesman to be consoled by the fact he lived a good life, touched many lives and left a good name and legacy of service. “His was a life well spent. We are not mourning Baba’s passage, rather we are celebrating his call unto glory”, he added.
Former Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said Nigeria had lost one of its oldest retired military officers.
He said Adebayo was a fine gentle man and knowledgeable leader.
Balarabe described him as a noble elder statesman, who worked for the unity of the nation.
“ He was a good and hardworking officer who worked for the unity of this nation and one of the leaders needed to make adequate corrections in this country.
“Today, I offer condolences to Adebayo’s family, and my sympathy and prayers to the people of Ekiti, Nigeria and the continent as they mourn the passing away of a man of the people, old fine military officer.
Balarabe described him as a world leader, who played a significant role in his days as a military man and upon retirement, influenced the direction of various affairs and welfare of the nation.
Adebayo was born on March 9, 1928 in the present Ekiti State and joined the West African Frontier Force in 1948 as a regiment signaller.
He later completed the Officer Cadet Training Course in Teshie, Ghana, from 1950 to 1952 and later passed the War Office Examination for Commonwealth Cadets in 1952 and the West African qualifying examination in 1953.
Adebayo was commissioned as an officer in the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) as the 23rd West African military officer with number WA23 and 7th Nigerian military officer with number N7.
He later attended the Staff College course in Kimberley (Surrey) in 1960 and the prestigious Imperial Defence College, London in late 1965, where he was the only African officer.
He was constantly commended for promoting agricultural extension services and for establishing the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, as governor of the western region.
He was also known to have rejected the use of force in resolving the Biafran crisis.
Adebayo later became the Chairman of the Committee on the Reconciliation and Integration of the Igbos (Biafrans) back into the Nigerian fold.
Before his death, he was Chairman of the Yoruba Council of Elders.
His eldest son, Niyi Adebayo, was a Governor of Ekiti State from 1999 to 2003.
REST IN PEACE General Adebayo Adeyinka.