The Government of Osun on Sunday said it is still in shock over the sudden death of the first Civilian Governor of the state, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke.

The Government described as a nightmare, the news of the death of one of the illustrious sons of the state.

In a short statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the government said the death of Senator Adeleke, aged 62, is hard to accept.

He said: “The sad news of the death of the first civilian governor of our state, Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, has struck us like a thunderbolt. Governor Rauf Aregbesola,

who is far away in China on state assignment is still speechless and in mourning.

“While the government awaits the reports of the autopsy which is being conducted, we can only calm our people to take this huge and incalculable loss with equanimity.

“Alhaji Adeleke, no doubt, has served our dear state well. First as its Civilian Governor and currently as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where he has provided adequate representation for the people of his senatorial district and the state. He was a politician with towering dossier.

“We find this loss inexplicable but we are restrained by the fact that we cannot query the verdicts of our Creator, the Almighty.

“We commiserate with the good people of Osun over this sad loss. We are still in shock.”

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described the news of the death of Senator Adeleke, as “a rude shock.”

The governor, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Adejuwon Soyinka, described the death of Senator Adeleke as “a great loss not just to Osun State but to the entire nation.”

Governor Amosun described the two-time Senator as “an experienced politician and administrator who will be sorely missed by not just his immediate family but also his political family and the nation at large.”

He said the late Senator Adeleke would be remembered for, among other things, his love for education.

Governor Amosun said this was exemplified by Senator Adeleke’s decision, as Governor of Osun State, to establish a Polytechnic at Iree, a College of Technology at Esa Oke as well as award of scholarship to indigent students across the country.

The Ogun State Governor therefore commiserated with the government and good people of Osun State over the sudden death of Senator Adeleke.

Governor Amosun prayed that God grants his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Also yesterday, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, condoled the government and people of Osun State over Adeleke’s death.

In a condolence statement issued in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa noted that the late Senator Adeleke lived a life of service to humanity which was epitomised in the lives he impacted on while in active public service.

Governor Okowa eulogised the former Governor for leading Osun State as first Executive Governor of the state.

“The passing away of Senator Adeleke at this moment is no doubt a great loss to the family, Ede community, the people of Osun West Senatorial District and Nigerians in general as his advice and wise counsel was most needed by all,” he said.

Governor Okowa recalled with nostalgia how late Adeleke was a man of integrity who served his state with humility and passion to the admiration of all and faced life challenges with courage and determination

Okowa remarked that Senator Adeleke was a humanitarian and philanthropist who instituted a scholarship award for 100 indigent students in tertiary institutions across the country.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the exit of a great politician, administrator, lawmaker and busniess man who will be missed by all those whose lives he touched in several ways,” he said.

Governor Okowa prayed God Almighty to grant the family and the people of Ede, the fortitude to bear the loss.

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