Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, yesterday said he has submitted to the will of God over the death of his son, Deji, who died in a plane crash last Thursday when conveying the remains of the immediate past governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Agagu, to Akure for a state burial.
Falae said the family was consoled by the fact that the late Deji lived a fulfilled live and touched the lives of people around him while he served as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the state executive of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
Speaking when the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, led by Pa Olaniwun Ajayi came to pay a condolence visit to him at his residence, Falae said the late Deji had completed the assignment God sent him to perform on earth, hence his departure to the great beyond.
The former presidential candidate of AD/APP in the 1999 election said he had been crying in the past three days but summoned the courage to speak because of the good reports he had been hearing about his late son.
According to him, the family is comforted by the fact that Deji touched lives while alive and personified the values of the Falaes which included hard work, honesty, humility and respect.
Falae said family members have taken solace in the fact that Deji lived a purposeful life and distinguished himself.
His words: “The Holy spirit has ministered to us and we have been comforted by different testimonies that preceded the incident”.
He disclosed that the late Deji’s appointment as a commissioner was a service to humanity as what he was earning in his former place of work was more than what he earned as a commissioner, saying he had to augment it to satisfy his supporters.
His words: “We are happy that all the family values we instill in him, he exhibited. The money he was making during his practice was more than what was paid as a commissioner
“He was humble, honest, transparent and exhibited integrity. He did not build a house of his own but he helped most of his supporters to build their own houses”
The leader of the group, Pa Ajayi urged Falae to take solace in the fact that “God giveth and taketh”
Ajayi, who said the group had come to condole with the family and the people of Ondo State over the death of Deji in the plane crash described the news of Deji’s death as shocking saying “the loss is shocking but God knows all”
He, however, urged the family to take solace in God over the untimely death of their son by submitting that no one can query God as He knows the best.
His words: “Deji is one of us and we look forward to him as one of the Yoruba future leaders but God knows best.
“We know and understand the impact and the pains his death has caused the family but we will urge you to remain strong in the service to God and humanity”
Members of the group in attendance in Falae’s house include Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Jimi Agbaje, Funsho Alayande, Yinka Odumakin, Sehinde Arogbofa, Pekun Awobona, Lanre Omisore, Jide Akinbiyi, Segun Ojo and others.
