By Joseph Akanbi
Family, associates of late Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, have taken to the social media to pay tribute to the first Executive Governor of Osun State on the occasion of the third year anniversary of his demise.
Adeleke who died at 62, was the first Executive Governor of the State, he also represented the people of Osun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 2007-2011. He got reelected as a Senator in 2015 and was still serving when he died in 2017.
‘Deji Adeleke – For the Family
The leader of the Adeleke dynasty, Chairman of Pacific Holdings and Chancellor, Adeleke University, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke in an emotional tribute on behalf of the family wrote;
It is 3 years today since we lost our dear Brother, our Role Model, our Joy, our Pride, our Strength, our Father figure, and the Shining Star of our family.
We thought our Brother will always be a phone call away but in everything God said we should give thanks. We thank God for the gift of this great and kind hearted Servant of the people to our family.
We thank God for all he achieved on earth by God’s Grace. We thank God for the beautiful and successful children & grandchildren he left behind. We thank God for enabling our family to continue our brother’s good works to the people.
We thank God for good health on our entire family. We thank God for the increasing goodwill and love from the people who truly value him and all the ideals he lived and died for.
We thank God for everything from the bottom of our hearts. Our Brother’s passing is still fresh & painful, and we miss him so very much. May his Soul continue to Rest in Peace.
A politician of repute – Lawmaker
In his tribute, Hon. Niran Atidade, the member representing Ede South at the Osun State House of Assembly described the late Senator as “A politician of repute that gave hope to hopeless, a voice to voiceless during his lifetime. He had rare virtue of undiluted love for the development of the humanity made him many miles apart from his peers. “
He said Serubawon traversed life with humility and sweet smile on his face was evidence of self satisfaction. He prayed to God to continue to rest his soul.
The vacuum created by your demise is yet to be filled – Salam,
The lawmaker representing Ede North/Ede South/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Salam, in his words, said “It is exactly 3 years that we woke up to the shocking news of your demise. The vacuum created by your sudden departure from the political space of Osun, where you were the first Governor and Nigeria where you were a charismatic figure, is yet to be filled. Rest in Peace, dear mentor, leader and father-figure.”
Osun people will never forget Adeleke – Babayemi
In a tribute made available to newsmen, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi noted that the legacies left behind by the man fondly called Serubawon in the political scene would be difficult to forget especially his belief that public service is noble and necessary and the fact that one can serve with integrity and still hold true to the important values of life.
He added that Adeleke’s indelible footprints on the sand of time can never be washed away in the area of giving back to the community in which he lived and beyond.
It was difficult for anyone to find fault in him – Adagunodo
The Osun State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo described the the late Adeleke as an epitome of sincerity, tolerance, magnanimity, honesty and gratitude. “He didn’t discriminate against people of different status, religion, ethnic and political belief. It was difficult for anyone to find fault in the late federal lawmaker from Osun State.”