Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, paid a condolence visit to the family of the leader of pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, saying that with the death of the elder statesman, Nigeria had lost a great man and especially at this time that steadfastness in leadership was required “to build our nation.”
Saraki, who is also a former governor of Kwara State, spoke with our correspondent, after signing the condolence register, describing the late Afenifere leader’s death as a great loss, but also a celebration of life.
According to him, the late Chief Adebanjo was a special person, saying that not many of his kind were still around as selfless, patriotic beings, who could speak truth to power, express their views, and always think about how to get this country better.
The former Senate president recalled that he got to know the late elder statesman much later, who he said initially had a different perception about him, “but after spending about two, three hours together, we now realized that we both care for the country, coming from different views, and he respected me for that and I respected him for that, and I wished we many many like him.”
“It is a great loss, but it’s a celebration of life. He was a special person, not many of his kind we still have in the country, selfless, patriotic, who could speak truth to power, who could express his views, who was always thinking about how to get this country better.
“For me, I got to know him much later, we started at a rocky point. He had a different perception about me, but after spending about two, three hours together, we now realized that we both care for the country, coming from different views, and he respected for that and I respected him for that, and I wished we have many like him.
“And I hope his legacies will continue, I wish my condolences to the entire family. As a country we have lost a great man and especially at this time steadfastness in leadership is required to build our nation,” he said.
“Nevertheless, adieu to Chief Adebanjo. I pray that the Almighty God give the family the strength to bear the loss,” he prayed.
Meanwhile, the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, wrote in the condolence register, saying that the late Chief Ayo Adebanjo would be greatly missed having lived a fulfilled life as a highly patriotic personality who loved his country, Nigeria.
The former Senate president, however, said he would cherish his special moment with the late elder statesman.
He expressed his deepest condolences to the family on the passing away of Chief Adebanjo and prayed that God should rest his soul in peace.
“My deepest condolences to the family on the passing away of Baba Adebanjo. He lived a fulfilled life. He was very patriotic and loved our country. He will be greatly missed,” he said.
“I will cherish my special moment with him. Adieu Baba. May your soul rest in peace. Amen,” he prayed.
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