Former Lagos governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described General Adeyinka Adebayo, who died yesterday, on the cusp of his 90th birthday, as a symbol of unity.

He said the late General was also unapologetic about being a Yoruba man.

Asiwaju’s reaction to the death of the Chairman of the defunct Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), is contained in a statement issued by his Media Office.

In the statement, the All Progressives National Congress (APC) National Leader said: “General Adeyinka Adebayo was a committed father, true patriot, elder statesman and untiring leader with great acumen.

“Though he was proud to be a Yoruba man, General Adebayo was a symbol of unity in the country. He canvassed against the use of force in resolving the Biafran crisis.

“This position might have informed his appointment after the civil war by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as the Chairman of the Committee on the Reconciliation and Integration of the Ibos back into the Nigerian fold.

“In the military, he distinguished himself. As Governor of the old Western State from August 1966 to April 1971, succeeding late General Adekunle Fajuyi, General Adebayo contributed immensely to the development of the region.

“He particularly promoted agricultural extension services in the region with the establishment of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.

“General Adebayo saw himself first and foremost as a Yoruba man before being a Nigerian. His death has further diminished the rank of reputable Yoruba leaders and national icons.

“I wish the General eternal rest. I pray that the children he left behind would continue to push forward the legacies he left behind.”

Also last night, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, commiserated with the Adebayo family, the good people of Ekiti State, the Yoruba race and indeed the entire Nigerian nation over the death of the former Governor of the defunct Western State.

Born on March 9, 1928, General Adebayo, who was the First Governor of the defunct Western State, died on Wednesday, a day to his 89th birthday.

Describing the death of General Adebayo as a “great loss to the nation,” the Ogun State Governor added that, “although he died at a ripe old age, General Adebayo’s experience and fatherly advice will be sorely missed.”

Governor Amosun added that the late General Adebayo will be fondly remembered for his unifying roles and effort across Nigeria and particularly in the southwest geo-political zone.

“He was a rallying point and one of the voices of reasoning in the Yoruba nation and indeed across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” Governor Amosun said.

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