President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with family members of former Minister of Information, Chief Alex Akinyele, who passed away on Thursday night.
The President’s condolence message is conveyed through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday.
Buhari also commiserated with the government and people of Ondo State, friends and professional colleagues of the departed, urging them to take solace in the lasting legacies of the former colorful minister.
Buhari affirmed that Akinyele’s scrupulousness, discipline and diligence were always obvious to those who worked closely with him, and his love for the nation, which was zealously demonstrated through providing exemplary leadership.
The President prayed that the Almighty God will grant the soul of the former minister eternal rest, and comfort all members of his family.
Akinyele, who died at the age of 81, was a trained teacher and Public Relations Specialist, and had also served as Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC) and Chairman of National Reconciliation Committee.
Also, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commiserated with the family and professional colleagues of Akinyele.
Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, described Akinyele as an elder statesman who contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development.
In a condolence message on Friday in Abuja by his Media Office, the APC leader said the late minister would be deeply missed by the country he served to the best of his abilities.
He said: “Chief Alex Akinyele was an elder statesman. He served the country to the best of his abilities. He did his best as Minister of Information and later Chairman of the Sports Commission.
“He was also one leader who was very proud of his Yoruba, indeed Ondo heritage, and demonstrated this often in his appearance and conduct.
“Chief Akinyele radiated warmth and tenderness. To meet him is to like him. He was full of life. He was unmistakable with his sartorial elegance. The country he did his best for will sorely miss him.
“My thoughts are with his family, friends and relations at this moment. May they find the strength to live through his passing. I mourn with his professional colleagues, the Public Relations practitioners and members of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.
“My condolences also go to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the government and people of Ondo State.
“May the soul of Chief Akinyele find eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord.”
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, expressed deep shock and sadness over the death.
In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Mohammed called the death of Akinyele a monumental loss to his family, the people of Ondo State and Nigerians in general.
The minister described Akinyele, to whom he was well acquainted in his lifetime especially in the realms of public
relations, as an astute administrator and a highly-respected public
relations practitioner.
He said Akinyele’s tenure as Minister of Information, and later
as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, was characterised
by his uncommon passion for Nigeria as well as his impressive
erudition
Mohammed said the family of the deceased, as well as his
friends and associates, should be comforted by his legacy of service
to humanity.
He prayed to God for the repose of Chief Akinyele’s soul as well as
for strength and comfort for his family.
