Buhari, Abiodun, Makinde, Fayemi, Sanwo-Olu Mourn As Olurin Dies At 78

WARM accolades were on Saturday showered on a former Military Governor of Oyo State, Brigadier General Adetunji Olurin (retd), following his death at 78 years.

Olurin, a former commander of the regional peace-keeping outfit, ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to Liberia during the country’s civil war, died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Lagos State of a yet to be disclosed illness.

Reacting to the development, President Muhammadu Buhari described Olurin as a military officer “who served the country meritoriously in his career, extending support when he was called upon as military Governor in Oyo State, and later as [Sole] Administrator in Ekiti State.

Buhari noted Olurin’s efforts in community development, particularly in his state, Ogun, willingly putting his experience and knowledge at the service of various governments.

In a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Buhari commiserated with government and people of Ogun, Ekiti and Oyo states over Olurin’s death.

Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described the late ex-ECOMOG Commander as a gallant military officer and astute administrator. Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, expressed shock at Olurin’s death.

According to the governor, Olurin died at a time the country and Ogun State needed his security expertise in tackling various security challenges confronting the nation.

He noted that the late Gen- eral was an illustrious son of the state who put the state and Nigeria on the global map with his exploits when he served as the ECOMOG Commander in Liberia.

“General Olurin of the popular Olurin Family in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of the state served Nigeria and ECOWAS in many capacities.

“We shall continue to remember the late General for his meritorious service to his fatherland as well as statesmanship. He shall be sorely missed not only by his family and kinsmen in Ilaro, but the entire people Ogun, and by extension Nigeria,” the governor said. In a statement, Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, described the death of the late former MILAD as painful, saying Olurin was “one of the past administrators who shaped our great state.”

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Governor Makinde equally commiserated with the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the people of Ogun State and the Olurin family. “It is sunset for another great man and one of the first set of leaders that providence gave to Oyo State at its earli- est stage.

“Through the efforts and contributions of General Olurin and other leaders, the foundation for the shaping of the Pacesetter State, which has become a first among equals, was successfully laid,” Makinde said.

Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described Olurin’s death as a great loss to Nigeria, Ogun State and Ekiti, which he helped to stabilise during the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state following a political crisis. He described the late General as a selfless statesman, courageous soldier and an altruistic patriot who served his country diligently while in active service and during his retirement.

The governor pointed out that the deceased discharged his duties as the Sole Administrator of Ekiti State with a great measure of fairness and firmness and left some legacies he would be remembered for in the annals of history of the state.

Also, the Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in mourning the departed military officer praised Olurin’s contribution to governance in Oyo and Ekiti states during his tenure as Military Governor and Sole Administrator in the two states respectively.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, described the late Olurin as a committed officer and elder statesman who served his country passionately. The governor commiserated with Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the people of the state, especially the indigenes of Ilaro where he hailed from, for the loss.

Also, a former Senate President, Senator David Mark, expressed shock over Olurin’s death, describing him as his colleague and coursemate. In a condolence message, Senator Mark who was a coursemate of the late General Olurin at the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) between 1967 and 1970, said he was looking forward to meeting Olurin at their annual meeting scheduled to hold in Ado Ekiti next month.

“I was looking forward to our (NDA Course 3 Alumni Association) annual general meeting billed for Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state next month [September] only to be confronted with the news of his death. His departure at this time is sad and painful,” he said. He described Olurin as “a fine officer, a gentleman and one of the best and fertile minds produced by the Nigerian Army.”

“In all the commands and formations he served including Field Commander, Economic Community of West African Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Peace Keeping Force in Liberia between 1992 and 1993 and other foreign services, Olurin left a legacy of excellence,” he said.

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