Sympathisers throng Ilorin residence
SYMPATHISERS yesterday trooped into the Ilorin residence of the 5th indigenous Inspector General of Police, Sunday Adewusi, who passed on Tuesday night at the National Hospital, Abuja at the age of 80 after a brief illness.

But his associates and sympathisers got the news of his demise early yesterday. The usual heavy security presence at his sprawling compound, at Pake area of Ilorin was relaxed, allowing free entrance and exit by sympathizers.

His full portrait in police regalia as Inspector General of Police before retirement was placed behind a higher education notebook, used as a condolence register. Besides, a clinic sharing part of the premises, christened ‘Olotu’ hospital, was closed for operations in an apparent show of respect for the deceased.

Workers at Adewusi’s ‘Nefraday’ Farm, Otte, a sleepy settlement along old Ilorin/Ogbomoso expressway were seen discussing in groups when The Guardian visited the place around 1:30pm.

Adewusi, though a native of Ogbomoso, Oyo State contributed his quota to the development of Ilorin the Kwara State capital. He was usually the first point of call by any serving Inspector General of Police paying a courtesy call on the governor of the state. He served meritoriously at his Saint Barnabas Anglican Cathedral Church, Murtala Mohammed Road, Ilorin.

Besides, Adewusi was usually chosen as the Chairman at many socio-cultural and religious events. His public outings were however reduced two years ago apparently due to a health condition.

Among the early callers was Second Republic Leader of Kwara State House of Assembly, Chief Wole Oke, who simply wrote in the register, “ Chief Adewusi, the super cop, rest at the bosom of your Lord, adieu.”

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has described Adewusi’s death as a national loss.
Ahmed through his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, yesterday in Ilorin said the late Chief Adewusi was a police officer who not only rose to the pinnacle of his career but also contributed immensely to nation building.

The governor added that the late Inspector General of Police, who lived in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, for many years, was an elder statesman whose vast experience in security matters was of great value to the state and Nigeria at large.
Governor Ahmed commiserated with the family of the deceased, the Soun of Ogbomoso and the people of Ogbomoso as well as the government and people of Oyo State over the death.

Also, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has expressed his condolence over the death of the former Inspector General of Police, describing it as a colossal loss to the nation.

He also commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, members of Ogbomoso traditional council as well as the government and people of Oyo state over “the great loss.”

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari in his condolence message described late Sunday Adewusi as a diligent police officer who rose to become the youngest Commissioner of police in the history of Nigeria at the age of 32 and later became the Inspector General of Police at the age of 45.

“Not only that, after he retired from the active service of the police, late Adewusi volunteered himself to contribute to the food security process for the nation through his modern farming system which provided jobs for many citizens”, he added.

While praying God to bless his soul, the monarch expressed grief that Adewusi passed away when the nation was planning towards diverting her economy from crude oil to the agricultural sector where the deceased was a major player.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has described his death as a great loss to the government and the people of the state.

The governor lamented the death of the foremost police officer who made history as the youngest IG ever in the country to take charge at the Louis Edet House, where he instilled discipline in the rank and file of the force.

A statement by the governor’s Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, recalled that the era of the late Adewusi as the nation’s number one cop was a defining moment that brought the best out of the officers and men of the police.

The governor prayed that God should grant the soul of the illustrious son of Ogbomoso eternal rest and to give the family, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, and the sons and daughters of the state the fortitude to bear the sad loss.

Describing the late Asiwaju of Ogbomoso as urbane and affectionate, the governor said that his simple lifestyle was a lesson in humility despite his accomplishments as a distinguished police officer.

Ajimobi said: “As a prominent chief in Ogbomoso land and venerated senior citizen of Oyo State, Chief Adewusi was always readily available to share his pool of experience garnered during his pristine public service with his community.

“He will be sorely missed because his wisdom and sound advice on issues of national interest have contributed to the peace and development of Oyo State since I became governor.

Ajimobi said, “I’m confident that the sublimity of his earthly sojourn, his affectionate love for mankind, his patriotic zeal and service to his fatherland, dedication to God and his quintessential lifestyle would make the heavenly to joyfully welcome him home.”

In the same vein, his predecessor, Adebayo Alao Akala who broke the news of Adewusi’s death to reporters said the deceased would always be remembered for his love for Ogbomoso land in particular and his patriotic zeal for his fatherland.

“I mourn a great icon and mentor but celebrates a pious Christian, lover of God and humanity, a lover of nobly virtues and a prayer warrior.”
Adewusi a native of Ogbomoso, appointed IGP at a young age of 45 to succeed Adamu Suleiman and was known to be hard working, determined and resolute.

Known as the Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland, Adewusi was born in Nassarawa, Eggon LGA of former Northern region, now Nassarawa State, to the family of Pa Abraham Ishola Adewusi and Princess Abeje.

Though indigenous of Western region, as it was then, Adewusi had his education in the North, largely because his parents were working and living there.

He began his educational career at the Church Missionary Society and Roman Catholic Mission Schools from 1944 to 1948. ‬ He proceeded to Baptist Day School, Jos (now Plateau state) between 1949 and 1950 to complete his Standard Six education. ‬ He had his secondary education at Keffi from 1951 to 1956. ‬
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He joined the Nigeria Police Force and had his basic police training at the Police College from 1957 to 1958 as a cadet sub-inspector. ‬

Adewusi was promoted Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1959; Deputy Superintendent of Police in 1962; Superintendent of Police in 1963; Chief Superintendent of Police in 1967; Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1969 and Deputy Commissioner of Police in 1971. ‬
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At an early age of 32, he became a Commissioner of Police in 1972 and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in 1975, before he was appointed IGP by then President Shehu Shagari in 1981. ‬