COVID-19 depleting ranks of Nigerian leaders, says Obasanjo

Abiodun mourns Bolu Akin-Olugbade

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday lamented that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has depleted the ranks of resourceful and patriotic leaders in the country.

Obasanjo said that resourceful patriots, who served the nation in various capacities, including RAdm. Ndubuisi Kanu, succumbed to death through COVID-19.

In a letter of condolence to wife of the late former military administrator of Imo and Lagos states Mrs. Gladys Ndubuisi-Kanu, the former President eulogised the late MILAD, noting that he was a dedicated officer, a gentleman and a real patriot.

Obasanjo also described the late Bolu Akin-Olugbade, who equally reportedly died of COVID-19 complications, as a passionate Nigerian, who was always in defence of her unity, as he was devoted to his roots.

The Ota, Ogun State, farmer remarked that Akin-Olugbade would be greatly missed by his community, state and the nation in general. “All Owu people have lost a great son,” he wrote.

In the two separate letters, copies, which were made available to newsmen in Abeokuta by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President recalled his association with the COVID-19 victims.

He added: “As the Aare Ona Kakanfo and a prominent son of Owu Kingdom, our much-respected brother contributed to better understanding and harmony among our people.

“He was a committed and an effective representative of his people and worked for their progress. His unfaltering support for the general interest of Owu Kingdom and its Chiefs-in-Council cannot be over-emphasised. He was loyal, devoted, dedicated and faithful generally to Owu cause and interest.

“As the Chair of the Owu Empowerment Committee, he gave in cash and kind.”

ALSO, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has commiserated with the Akin-Olugbades over the demise of its scion, describing it as a personal loss to him and the people of the state in particular and the country in general.

The legal luminary died on Wednesday, January 13, in Lagos.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, the governor added: “Dr. Bolu Akin-Olugbade will be sorely missed by everyone that he came across. He was both passionate and compassionate and that can be attested to by his accomplishments as a Law scholar, businessman and socialite.”

Beyond scholarship, Abiodun further said the late Aare Ona Kakanfo of Owu Kingdom was an investor of prodigious hues, with business interests cutting across law, property development, construction, manufacturing, logistics, distribution, maritime and offshore services and investment banking.