The family of late retired Brig.-Gen Adetunji Olurin, on Saturday, said he died after a brief illness in Lagos.
In a statement by his son, Mr Babatunde Olurin, on behalf of the family, the late ex-Governor of Oyo State, died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on Friday at the age of 76
Olurin said that the family, though pained, remained grateful to God because Olurin led a good life.
”It is with a deep sense of loss but gratitude to Almighty God for a life well lived, that we announce the passing of retired Brig.-Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin.
”In 27 years of service to the Nigerian Army, Olurin served as the military administrator of Oyo State, the General Officer Commanding, the three armoured division and the ECOMOG field commander in Liberia.
”He also served as the sole administrator of Ekiti and was a governorship candidate in the 2011 Ogun governorship election,” Olurin said.
The late Brig.-Gen Olurin is survived by his wife, Mrs Kehinde Olurin, two sons Babatunde and Olumide Olurin, daughter-in-law, Fehintola Olurin and grandson Demilade Olurin.
The family said that burial arrangements would be announced soon.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, commiserated with the government and people of Ogun, Ekiti and Oyo states over the passing of Olurin.
The statement reads: “The President joins family, friends and professional colleagues in mourning the military officer, who served the country meritoriously in his career, extending support when he was called upon as military Governor in Oyo State, and later as Administrator in Ekiti State. He also was outstanding as ECOMOG Commander in Liberia.
“President Buhari notes Gen. Olurin’s efforts in community development, particularly in his state, Ogun, willingly putting his experience and knowledge at the service of various governments.
“The President prays that the Almighty God will grant the departed soul eternal rest, and comfort his family.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also mourned the passing of Olurin.
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Saturday, described the late Olurin as a committed officer and elder statesman who served his country passionately.
The governor also praised Olurin’s contribution to governance in Oyo and Ekiti States during his tenure as Military Governor and Sole Administrator in the two states respectively.
He also commiserated with Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the entire people of Ogun State, especially the indigenes of Ilaro on the demise of their illustrious son.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and associates of the late Brigadier-General Adetunji Olurin (rtd) as well as the Nigerian Army, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the entire people of the state.
“He was a committed military officer. He fought, along with several other patriots, tirelessly for a united Nigeria as well as ECOMOG during his days in the Nigerian Army.
“He also made lots of positive impact and contributions to governance during his lifetime, first as a Military Governor of Oyo State between September 1985 and July 1988 and later as Sole Administrator of Ekiti State between October 19, 2006 and April 27, 2007.
“I pray that God will grant Brigadier-General Adetunji Olurin (rtd) eternal rest and give the immediate family, friends, Nigerian Army and the people of Ilaro and Ogun State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Sanwo-Olu prayed.
His Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also expressed his condolences.
Olurin served as Sole Administrator of Ekiti State for six months between October 19, 2006 and April 27, 2007 during the state of emergency imposed by the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration in the wake of political crisis that engulfed the state at the time.
Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described Olurin’s death as a great loss to Nigeria, Ogun State, his home state and Ekiti, which he helped stabilised during the six-month emergency rule.
He described the late General as a selfless statesman, courageous soldier and an altruistic patriot who served his country diligently while in active service and during his retirement.
The governor pointed out that the deceased discharged his duties as the Sole Administrator of Ekiti State with a great measure of fairness and firmness and left some legacies he would remembered for in the annals of history of the Land of Honour.
Fayemi said although the late Olurin was a soldier, he was a man of the people who was very much concerned about their welfare and ever ready to solve problems brought to his attention.
The governor noted that Olurin brought his humane nature and professionalism to bear during his tenure as the Military Governor of the old Oyo State and while on peace- keeping assignment as the Field Commander of ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia.
According to him, the history of how a lasting peace was achieved in the then war- torn Liberia would not be complete without a worthy mention and glowing chapters written on the sterling contributions of the late General Olurin.
He expressed sadness that Olurin’s demise came just few weeks after the death of a distinguished daughter of Ekiti, Mrs. Abike Sonoiki, who served during the emergency rule as Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The governor prayed God to grant the family and associates of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss, urging them to be consoled by the legacies of service, selflessness and excellence he left behind.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the immediate family and associates of our amiable General Olurin. Our prayer is that God will grant the deceased eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.” the Governor said.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State also mourned the death of Olurin.
Makinde, in a statement on Saturday by Mr Taiwo Adisa, his Chief Press Secretary, said in Ibadan that the death of the late former administrator was painful.
The governor also condoled the people of Oyo State over the demise of one of the past administrators who shaped the state.
Makinde equally commiserated with Abiodun, the people of Oyo State and the entire Olurin family.
“I learnt of the death of former Military Administrator of Oyo State, Gen. ‘Tunji Idowu Olurin.
“It is a sunset for another great man and one of the first set of leaders that providence gave to Oyo State at its earliest stage.
“Through the efforts and contributions of Gen. Olurin and other leaders, the foundation for the shaping of the pacesetter state, which has become a first among equals, was successfully laid.
“Gen. Olurin’s death at this time, when his wealth of experience in leadership can be of immense help to the current crop of leaders, is painful.
“I commiserate with the entire Olurin Family of Ilaro and the Government and people of Ogun State.
“I pray to God to grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Makinde said.
Also, Abiodun expressed sadness over the death of Olurin.
Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kunle Somorin, expressed shock over the news of the death of Olurin, whom he described as “a gallant military officer and astute administrator”.
The governor noted that Olurin’s death occurred at a time the country and Ogun needed his security expertise in tackling various security challenges confronting the nation.
He added that the late Olurin was an illustrious son of Ogun, who put the state and Nigeria on the global map with his exploits, when he served as the Commander of the military Peace Monitoring Group in Liberia.
“Late Olurin was Military governor of Oyo state and later, civilian Administrator of Ekiti after retirement.
“He was also Chancellor of Nigeria’s first University of Education, the Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED in Ijebu Ode.
“At the international level, he was ECOMOG Commander.
” Olurin who was the commander, 1st Mechanised Brigade, Minna, also lectured on peacekeeping at the International Peace Academy, the National War College and at UN seminars in Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal.
“He was a recipient of many honours including, the UN Peace Medal and the Knight Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption (KCHOAR), Liberia’s highest national honour award,
“Olurin was also an honorary Paramount Chief of the Republic of Liberia.
” Definitely, he has made Ogun stand out, not only in Nigeria but also at the global level,” Abiodun said..
The governor who condoled the deceased family, said Nigeria would continue to remember him for his meritorious service to the nation.
Abiodun prayed that God would forgive his shortcomings and grant his family members fortitude to bear the “irreplaceable loss”.
Former Senate President, Brigadier-General David Mark, expressed deep sorrow over the death.
In a statement by his Media Aide, Mr Paul Mumeh, on Saturday in Minna, Mark said: “ I have lost a brother, colleague, course mate and comrade in arms.”
Mark explained that the late Olurin was a dependable, reliable and extra ordinary officer , who distinguished himself meritoriously in the service to man and country .
The former senate helmsman, said that Gen. Olurin and him, were course mates of the 3rd Regular Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) between 1967 and 1970.
He described Olurin as one of the best and fertile minds, ever produced by the Nigerian Army.
” In all the commands and formations he served, including Field Commander, Economic Community of West African Monitoring Group Peace Keeping Force in Liberia, between 1992 and 1993 and other foreign services , Olurin left a legacy of excellence.
” He was a patriotic officer who believed in the sanctity of peace and unity of the country.
“He craved for an egalitarian society, where justice , equity and fairness is the norm.
“I was looking forward to our ( NDA Course 3 Alumni Association) Annual General Meeting, billed for Ado Ekiti , Ekiti in September, only to be confronted with the news of his death.
“His departure at this time is sad and painful,” he said.
Mark prayed God to grant the late Brig.-Gen., eternal rest and the immediate family, the fortitude to bear the loss
