Bode Akindele: Buhari, Makinde, Ibadan Chamber of Commerce mourn

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of foremost philanthropist and entrepreneur, High Chief Bode Akindele, as an irreparable loss to the country.
“Chief Akindele was a man of many parts. He was a creator of jobs who demonstrated untiring love for the down-trodden. His philanthropic gestures knew no bounds, intervening especially in critical sectors of the economy,” President Buhari said.
The President remembered that the late industrialist was one of the early groups of private individuals to support government intervention in the fight against the COVID-19 scourge, donating handsomely to the fund.
He condoled with the Government and people of Oyo State, particularly the Olubadan-in-Council on the loss of the Parakoyi of Ibadanland whose immeasurable contributions to development and progress of his community and country remained paramount till the very end.
Buhari also commiserated with Organised Private Sector on the departure of a key member whose imprints in various sectors will remain indelible.
The President urged family, friends and associates to take solace in the fact that Chief Akindele touched lives, wrote his name in gold, and lived a life of accomplishments.
He prayed that God will grant him eternal rest.
Also, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State described the death of Akindele, as a great loss to the state and Nigeria as a whole.
The late Akindele died on Monday morning in Lagos, barely 24 hours after the burial of a former governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Makinde described the late Akindele, who was the ‘Parakoyi’ of Ibadanland and Chairman of Modandola Group, as a worthy elder statesman and someone who was genuinely interested in the wellbeing of others.
A statement on Monday evening by Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, quoted Makinde as saying that the late Akindele contributed in no small measure to the growth of the state and his community.
The governor also commiserated with the family of the late statesman, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and the entire people of Oyo State, praying that God  would grant them  the fortitude to bear the loss.
“The governor said the news of the death of our revered elder statesman, Chief Bode Akindele, the Parakoyi of Ibadanland and Chairman, Modandola Group, came to us as a shock.
“Baba Akindele was one of the worthy elder statesmen in the state and he lived a life worthy of emulation. As an elder, he was always after the progress and wellbeing of the state and its people.
“I remember that only a few months ago when the state put out calls for support towards the Oyo State COVID-19 Endowment Fund, Baba Akindele was one of the elders who responded by donating N25 million to the state.
“It is sad that we lost such a noble elder and philanthropist at such a moment as this.
“I pray to God to grant his entire family and the state the fortitude to bear this loss,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Ibadan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI), on Monday, condoled the Akindele family, saying that the renowned industrialist would be greatly missed.
The President of ICCI, Chief Sola Abodunrin, said that the deceased had done well for Ibadanland by facilitating the establishment of many industries.
“Chief Bode Akindele was one of the prominent people, who have brought industries to Ibadanland and he will be greatly missed.
“He was a great industrialist in Ibadanland. He was the one who brought Standard Breweries Nigeria Limited and United Beverages Limited, which produces Zinc Lemon and Afri-Cola.
“He also brought other companies like Diamond Foods, producing biscuits and Standard Packages. Indeed, we cannot forget his immense contributions to the socio-economic development of Ibadan and Oyo State in general,” he said.
Abodunrin prayed God to rest the soul of the late industrialist and grant his family the fortitude to be the irreparable loss.