The indigenes of Moro Emirate in Mooro Local Government Area of Kwara State have bemoaned the death of their erstwhile representative in the state assembly, Chief Stephen Kolawole Oke, who died last Sunday.

Chairman of Mooro Descendants Development Union (MODDU,) Isiaka Jimoh, in a statement, described Isaka’s death as “deepest sorrow” in Mooro and beyond.

Jimoh said Oke was one of the initiators of MODDU and a staunch politician of high repute; “a truly patriotic and selfless leader, whose commitment to the emancipation of the people of Moro from internal oppression and colonialism was both undeniable and unassailable, and also unwaveringly constant to the very end.

“Wole Oke as early as 1972, along with other like-minds had established Oke-Moro/Oke-Asa Development Union (OMADU), an umbrella organisation through which the people of what is today known as Moro and Asa local government areas, renewed and intensified their agitation for separate administrative divisions out of the then existing Ilorin division.

“Oke was at the forefront and indeed leader of the group that engaged in the struggle, which eventually led to the creation of the two local governments in 1976 .

“His time in the Kwara State House of Assembly during the Second Republic, especially First Assembly and Second Assembly (1979-’83), when he later became the House Leader, was also as remarkably successful as his leadership of OMADU.

“Without any fear of contradiction, Hon. Wole Oke was a major factor in the legislative works and processes that largely produced the successes and achievements of the Adamu Attah administration in the State.

“Thus, in his hometown of Shao, Mooro local government area and Kwara State generally, Oke was an icon, a legendary and patriotic figure, who in spite of imponderable odds and hurdles, made significant contributions and personal sacrifices to the advancement and wellbeing of the people. We shall surely miss his selfless, loyal, patriotic and dedicated services to the cause of Moro people for years ahead,m.”