FG names FUOYE after General Adebayo

THE Federal Government has renamed the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), after the late General Adeyinka Adebayo, at a funeral attended by numerous military and civilian dignitaries from across the country.

Adebayo was a governor of the defunct Western Region.

Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who announced government decision in Iyin-Ekiti at the funeral service for the late statesman, said this was in recognition of Adebayo’s life and his contributions  to the unity and development of Nigeria.

Osinbajo, who delivered President Muhammadu Buhari’s message at the service, held at All Saints Anglican Church, Iyin-Ekiti, described General Adebayo as an officer and a gentleman indeed, saying his “his military trajectory was a lesson in Nigeria’s history.”

He said naming of Adeyinka Adebayo Federal University in Oye-Ekiti was one of the ways Nigeria would appreciate his contributions to the country, and thereby immortalise him.

“This is a celebration of life of sacrifice and dedication to one’s community and nation. General Adebayo was a fine gentleman and the first indigenous Chief of Army staff, who had a major influence on the life if the president as a young office.

“To let you know how respectable this man was to President Buhari, the President instructed me to be here. General Adebayo had demonstrated that one must learn how to impact on the community where he has the opportunity of serving. As a military officer, he did well and as a military governor, he served the people selflessly,” Osinbajo said.

In a sermon at the service, the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, who was represented by the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, and Archbishop of Ondo Province, Most Reverend George Latunji Lasebikan, described Adebayo as “a man of great human disposition, forthright, disciplined and focused,” saying these qualities helped his career in no small measure.

The cleric said: “Nigeria is in trouble because our leaders are self-serving. But remember that only God has the power of life and death. All the money you have stolen won’t deliver you from the hands of death.

“There is so much suffering in the land. Unemployment is increasing, people are jobless and dying. All these were enough for our leaders to cater for, rather than looting the treasuries for personal gains.”

The Archbishop urged Nigerian leaders to learn from the life of Alexander the Great, who refused to acquire wealth as a military officer because of his belief that the world is vanity.

He said: “General Adebayo was an harbinger of peace even as a military officer. He was a Yoruba man par excellence. One thing marvels me about his administration, if someone can be presiding over  Ekiti, Ondo, Osun as a problem, what  shall we then say about someone ruling over the whole southwest region.”

First son of the late General, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, who was also the first civilian governor of Ekiti State, said while he knew that the shoes of his father was too big for him to fill, he said “he pledged to do his best to ensure that the legacies he left behind would not be rubbished.

Adeniyi Adebayo thanked Governor Fayose for naming the Ekiti government house after him and also naming the general hospital in Iyin-Ekiti after his father, saying “he had been very very supportive of the family since he got the news and had taken it upon himself to ensure that we gave him a befitting burial.”

Governor Fayose and his wife, Feyisetan; Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Betty;  Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige;  Oshiomhole, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Budget and Planning, Senator Udo Udoma; Central Bank Governor, Gidwin Emefiele; Mr. Segun Awolowo, Chief Ayò Adebanjo, Chief Segun Osoba, Mr. Tony Elumelu, for mer Governors Adams Oshiomhole, James Ibori, Lucky Igbinedion, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, Rear Admiral Akinjide Akinrianade, representing the Chief of Defence Staff; Major General TM Abraham, GOC 2Div, representing the Chief of General Staff; Brig Gen Charles Ofoche, Maj. General Ike Nwachukwu, General Zamani Lekwot, General and Mrs Chris Garba; a former Minister, Chief Ayò Ogunlade, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, Odein Ajumogobia, a former Minister, Chief Ademola Seriki; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Sanusi Daggash, Mr. Tunde Fowler, General and Mrs. Da vid Jemibewon, Mrs. Onari Duke, former first lady of Cross River State were among the dignitaries that attended at the funeral.