* Visits families
By Nudoiba Ojen
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the former Military Governor of Ondo State, late Major General Ekundayo Opaleye, as a humble and intelligent officer who served his country and humanity diligently while alive.
Abiodun also described the late former Minister of Finance, Chief Onaolapo Soleye, as a trailblazer, who also contributed immensely to nation-building.
The governor spoke during his separate condolence visits to the families of the late Opaleye and Soleye at their Ibara GRA residences in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Of Opaleye, the governor said Ogun State had lost one of its illustrious sons who dedicated his life to nation-building and served as a great mentor to the young ones.
* L-R: Wives of the deceased, Chief (Mrs) Olusola Opaleye and Chief (Mrs) Kikelomo Opaleye; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, first son of the deceased, Mr Kunle Opaleye and another wife, Chief (Mrs) Jolaoluwa Opaleye… during the visit of the Governor to the family of the late former military administrator in Abeokuta, on Wednesday
The governor said, “Major General Ekundayo Opaleye served his country, humanity in several capacities, particularly as a top ranking officer of the Nigerian Army. He served with absolute integrity. General indeed lived a life of impact, a life of service, dedication, and contribution.
“General Opaleye was always ready to share his experiences in life and in leadership. He always answers our call whenever we invite him for any event, and so I was shocked when I heard of his death,” he said.
Governor Abiodun observed that the passage of the top military officer who died at the age of 77, is a reminder that life is transient hence the need for those still alive to be impactful so as to be remembered for good after their demise.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and for God to give those he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss, disclosing that the state government would set up a Committee that would liaise with the family to give the late military officer a befitting burial.
Governor Abiodun, also at Soleye’s residence, noted that the former Minister of Finance during the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari, blazed the trail by displaying intellectual capacity that was never witnessed in the Ministry.
* L-R: Mrs Abimbola Soleye-Fadimu (daughter); the wife of the deceased, Mrs Modupeola Soleye; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the first son of the deceased, Pastor Olamide Soleye… during the visit of the Governor to the family of the late former Minister of Finance in Abeokuta on Wednesday
Governor Abiodun said that the late Soleye lived an accomplished life and lefl foot prints in the sand of time, saying he was an industrious and prominent son who made the Ogun State proud in all his public endeavours.
The governor said, “He came, saw and conquered. He lived an impactful life with all sense of humility and fear of God. He was a good husband to his wife, a dotting father to the children. He lived a good life, and we are proud of him,” the governor said.
In their separate remarks on behalf of their families, the son of General Opaleye, Mr Kunle Opaleye, appreciated their late father for inculcating sense of humility on his children, while Pastor Lamide Soleye, appreciated the governor for standing by their families at these trying times, saying they would cooperate with the state government on the burial plans of their father.
