*Says ex-Oyo Gov practised politics with open mind
*’Ogbomoso ‘ll miss compassion of trusted, revered leader’
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has described the former Oyo State Governor, the late Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, as a simple and humble man who practised politics with an open mind and served the people and his country all his life.
Osinbajo spoke on Friday in Ogbomoso where he graced the funeral service of Alao-Akala at an event also attended by State Governors: Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and other prominent dignitaries from different walks of life.
Speaking on the dynamic qualities of the late former Oyo Governor, Osinbajo said, ” The late Alao-Akala practically demonstrated what is possible when creativity and compassion are brought into governance.
“Alao Akala served the people and country all his life; from a career in the police force to the chairmanship of the Ogbomosho North Local Government, to Deputy Governor and then Governor of Oyo State. He put everything into public service. This is why today the people of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and the nation gather to pay him the high respects due to such a well-regarded patriot and faithful servant of the people.”
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, also quoted the Vice President as saying that the testimonies of many associates of the late Oyo Governor recalling his political sojourn was evidence that “Otunba Alao-Akala was a politician who knew how to be a political opponent without being a sworn enemy.
“The good people of Ogbomoso and the nation will miss the kindness, compassion and love of a trusted and revered leader… whose political influence and reach went beyond party affiliation and multi-partisan colours,” the Vice President stated.
Osinbajo further added it was not surprising, that “in any political calculation, everyone knew that wherever Alao Akala pitched his tent is where Ogbomoso will go, he was that highly regarded… His wide network is a solid reflection of the goodwill he enjoyed across political divides, ethnicities and faiths.”
Osinbajo recalled the broad smile and hearty laughter of the late Alao-Akala, whom he described as “an illustrious political actor from Ogbomoso-land” who was able to strike and “sustain a deep connection with the people.”
Osinbajo further said, “Everywhere he went in those days as Governor of Oyo State; you would hear chants of Oyato Gomina! Oyato! For the benefit of non-speakers of Yoruba, they meant ‘Governor with a difference!’
“Of course, there were a couple of things Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala did differently on assumption of office (from Jan 2006 to December that year, and then again from May 2007 to May 2011).
The Vice President also stated that as governor, the late Alao-Akala was able to significantly improve the State’s “Internally Generated Revenue (from a paltry N300million to a record N1billion) within eight months of becoming governor.”
“Alao-Akala also instituted impactful programmes like the home-grown empowerment scheme known as Community Link Advancement Programme (CLAP).
According to Osinbajo, a common refrain running through the glowing tributes paid to his memory was the attestation of his uncommon generosity.
Osinbajo further went down the memory lane and recounted the generosity of the late Alao-Akala.
He said, “There is undoubtedly a lot more to be said about his generosity in material terms and in things money cannot buy. At a personal level, I can attest to his generosity with time and counsel. I met him many years ago through his nephew, Prof Oyelowo Oyewo (SAN), currently Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oyo State. And after becoming the Vice-Presidential candidate of APC in 2014, he was one of those I immediately turned to for advice.
“Being a battle-hardened veteran of the game himself, he must have been wondering if I had the stamina to cope. So, he went on to give me some unforgettable advice about what he thought I should do. Till he drew his last breath, Alao-Akala never ceased to avail me of his quality counsel and words of encouragement, by way of phone calls or pep talk whenever our paths crossed.”
Osinbajo ,therefore, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, the government and people of Nigeria, expressed condolences to the Alao Akala family while praying that God will comfort and uphold them.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimat Salako-Oyedele; her Oyo State counterpart, Chief Rauf Olaniyan; members of the National Assembly; Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare; the President of the Nigeria Baptist Convention, Dr, Israel Akanji, who delivered the sermon at the service, and Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN.
