President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the government and indigenes of Ekiti State over the death of Evangelist Bamidele Isola Olumilua, governor of old Ondo State from 1992-1993.
Olumilua, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State died at the age of 80.
Olumilua is also the father of Ekiti State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua.
Muyiwa, while confirming his father’s death, in Ado Ekiti, said that the former governor, died in the early hours of Thursday.
“I can confirm to you that it is true that Baba died today (Thursday) around 3 a.m.
“We thank God that he lived a good and worthy life and we are proud of his personality and achievements while alive,” he said.
Olumilua had been battling some illnesses, associated with old age, before his eventual death.
He served as governor from January 1992 to November 1993 on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), during which another late Governor, Olusegun Agagu was his deputy.
Olumilua’s tenure as Governor was, however, truncated along with others nationwide, when the late Gen. Sani Abacha-led military administration came into power on November 17, 1993.
Olumilua was appointed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), by Governor Kayode Fayemi, during his first tenure in office.
Buhari’s condolence message was conveyed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Thursday.
The President sympathised with family members, friends and associates of the former governor, who worked very hard to improve infrastructure and livelihood of people in the state.
He affirmed that Olumilua played an active role in the return of democracy in the country, and served as Chairman, Christian Pilgrims Board.
The President prayed that the Almighty God would receive the soul of the departed and comfort his family.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also mourned Olumilua.
The governor described the death of Olumilua, who served as governor in old Ondo State (from which Ekiti State was created on October 1, 1996 by Abacha) as a monumental loss to Ekiti State which the deceased served in various capacities till he breathed his last.
Fayemi said Olumilua’s death came few months after he celebrated his 80th birthday in his hometown where his ideals once again came to the fore, adding that nobody knew that the former Governor would soon depart for the world beyond shortly after joining the club of octogenarians.
The Governor described Olumilua as a humble servant of the people, a compassionate leader, a politician whose actions were guided by the fear of God and a revered statesman whose impact positively affected the people he served.
He said Olumilua excelled as a foreign service officer, public servant, politician, community leader and clergy.
The Governor noted that Olumilua’s tenure in old Ondo State between January 1992 and November 1993 was remarkable in execution of life changing policies and projects within limited resources.
Fayemi said Olumilua’s worth was appreciated by the Federal Government which appointed him as the Chairman of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission where he served diligently without blemish.
The Governor recalled that the deceased equally excelled as the Chancellor of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) during his first tenure in office during which the university was rebranded and became one of the most sought after institutions for admission seekers in the country.
He also described Olumilua as a disciplined and selfless party man and one of the leading lights of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders’ Forum in Ekiti State, adding that the former governor was a stabilising force in the ruling party.
Fayemi said Olumilua’s death has robbed the state and party of wise counsel noting that the vacuum created by the loss will be difficult to fill.
The Governor urged the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and left legacies of service, statesmanship, peacemaking, service in God’s vineyard and honour.
“Our revered Baba has gone to be with his maker. We lost a refined statesman and a man of honour. We are however consoled by the fact Baba lived a good life and left behind a legacy of honour and a good name. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, condoled with the state government and family of Olumilua.
A statement from Fayose’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, described Olumilua’s death as a loss to Ekiti and indeed Nigeria.
“With the death of Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Ekiti, and indeed Nigeria, have lost a very upright and courageous leader.
“He feared God and served humanity selflessly.
“Rest in peace, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, former governor of old Ondo State,’’ Fayose said.
In another condolence message, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, described Olumilua’s death as shocking.
Olujimi, who personally signed the message, remarked that “Ekiti would sorely miss him’’.
She described Olumilua as a democrat, selfless statesman and one of the leading lights of the state, who has remained a unifier, despite political differences.
The former Senate minority whip noted that the vacuum created by the death of Olumilua would be difficult to fill.
She urged the state government and the family of the deceased to take the demise of Olumilua in good faith, because he played his parts well in the service of humanity.
The elder statesman, who was the second civilian governor of the old Ondo State, passed on in the early hours of Thursday in his home at Ikere-Ekiti.
