Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has described the late Chief Segun Okeowo, former President of the defunct National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) as `a sacrificial leader.’
Okeowo died on Tuesday at the age of 73.
Amosun told a news conference in Ota that Okeowo’s death was `shocking.’
He commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
The governor recalled the role Okeowo played in the “Ali Must Go’’ saga.
He described the deceased as a hero and urged Nigerian youths to take a cue from his exemplary struggle for a just cause.
In his tribute, Amosun’s predecessor in office, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described Okeowo as a `legendary fighter and true democrat.’
In a statement issued by Mr Ayo Giwa, his Assistant on Media, Daniel said the late unionist sacrificed his life for the emancipation of Nigerian students.
“Okeowo was indeed the Mandela of Nigerian students’ unionism. He was a legendary freedom fighter who sacrificed his life in the struggle for the emancipation of Nigerian students.
“I feel saddened by the death of Chief Segun Okeowo, a man of superior courage and principle whose contributions in the liberation of Nigerian youths were colossal,” Daniel said.
The former governor also described Okeowo, who served in his administration, as a `peacemaker’ who ensured that he reconciled with those “whose toes he stepped on during the struggle.”
