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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”.
— Mar 8, 2017 @ 19:58 GMT
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