• He spoke to his wife and 3 children just before he slumped —Deputy Speaker

• Oyo govt declares 3 days mourning from next Monday

• Oyo Chief Judge, APC, Alao-Akala, Seyi Makinde, lawmakers, others mourn

• Death of Oyo Speaker, a rude shock ―Osun Assembly

Shock, disbelief, tears, forlorn faces and nostalgic tales greeted the news of the death of Speaker, Oyo House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo on Friday morning.

Adeyemo slumped and died following a heart attack he suffered at his official residence, Ibadan, not long after he spoke over the phone with his wife and three boys abroad.

Adeyemo, aged 47years, died on the way to the Jericho Specialist hospital, Ibadan while his body was deposited at the morgue of the Department of Anatomy, University of Ibadan.

Family members, friends, members and staff of the Assembly, who stood in twos and threes around the morgue and House of Assembly, expressed shock at the ephemeral nature of life, noting that Adeyemo was boisterous while presiding over the last plenary of the Assembly held on Tuesday, and adjourned till May 3.

A look at the Facebook wall of Adeyemo over the course of the past one month showed reflective posts like, “It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going”, “Be thankful you’re still breathing because someone out there just took their last breath”, “God you know my situation and you know I can’t make it without you know I can’t make it without you”, “Thank you for always being here by my side throughout all”, “The simplest way to stay happy is to let go of everything that makes you sad”.

Speaking at the Department of Anatomy, the University of Ibadan, deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Abdulwasi Musah disclosed that Adeyemo spoke over the phone with his wife and children, this morning, just before he slumped at his official residence.

Musah, who spoke with intermittent sobs, decried that Adeyemo’s loss was another calamity that followed the loss of a lawmaker, Honourable Gideon Aremu to gunmen, on July 2, 2016.

“It’s a big blow to us. It happened when we least expected. Ever since we lost one of our members in 2016, we do pray to God to avert this kind of calamity before the expiration of this Assembly.

ALSO READ: Oyo Speaker’s death shocking ―Lanlehin

“We spoke yesterday (Thursday) and he was full of life. We discussed the business of the Assembly especially the direction of our activities next week and we agreed to see each other at the weekend. Little did I know that that will be the last time we will speak.

“The state has lost a man who loved the state with a passion. According to his brother, who was with him, he (Adeyemo) spoke with his wife and children this morning and slumped afterwards. He was rushed to the hospital but he had lost his life before he got to Jericho Specialist Hospital. This is a calamity not only for his family but to Oyo State,” Musah said.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has declared a three-day mourning period starting from Monday, where it directed that flags are to be flown at half-mast during the period.

This is just as Governor Abiola Ajimobi led other members of the state executive council, on a visit to the Anatomy Department of the University of Ibadan, to ascertain the likely cause of Adeyemo’s death.

Ajimobi, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji described the death as a tragic loss for him and the people of the state.

Especially, Ajimobi lauded Adeyemo’s sagacity in piloting the affairs of the Assembly without rancour and ensuring that a cordial relationship between the legislature and executive.

“I received the news of the untimely passage of my brother, friend and dependable political ally, with grief and utter shock, this morning (Friday).

“He was a fine gentleman and bridge builder, who was committed to the development and progress of the state. His death has left a gaping void that will be difficult to fill.

“He was an energetic young man that was always prepared to sacrifice his time, expertise and resources to ensure that the relationship between the Executive and Legislature did not break down at any time, no matter how thorny the issue might be. He was my bridge builder.

“Political leaders from Ibarapa zone deferred to him because of his candour, gentleness, respect and his amiable disposition to all, young and old. He was a rallying point for the Assembly leaders, who held him in high esteem because of his unassuming nature,” Adeyemo said.

Among those who signed the condolence register opened at the state House of Assembly were Chief Judge of Oyo State, Munta Abimbola, accompanied by President, Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State, Justice Gbade Akinteye.

Ladipo wrote, “To say it’s a shock is an understatement about the news of the death of a young, dynamic, erudite and administrator/legislator to the core. Words alone cannot be enough to express the heartfelt pain.”

“I, on behalf of the judiciary of Oyo state, the judicial service commission, express our condolence to the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Isiaka Ajimobi and other members of the state executive council, deputy Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly. May his soul rest in peace.”

Akinteye wrote, “Your demise at this time in the political development of Oyo State is a sad one indeed. I am at a loss as to why this has to happen to us in Oyo State. I believe God knows best. As a Christian, I take consolation in the fact that we will meet again. Adieu, our amiable Speaker.”

Also, former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala has expressed shock at the death of Adeyemo.

He described Adeyemo as a good leader who had brought members of the House together, for peaceful governance of the state.

Alao Akala further commiserated with the Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the people of Oyo state over the loss

“Though painful, Adeyemo’s death should be a lesson to all of us. Only God knows what will happen the next moment. We should all do good and move closer to our Creator”,  Alao Akala said.

In the same vein, gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has bemoaned as shocking the death of Adeyemo.

In a statement from the Seyi Makinde organisation, signed by Prince Dotun Oyelade, Makinde described Adeyemo as “a good ambassador of Ibarapa zone of the state, seasoned lawyer and an astute administrator who managed the house of assembly without any rancour for about three years”.

Lauding Adeyemo’s managerial skill, Makinde said the political scene will his Adeyemo’s knowledge and experience in lawmaking and politicking.

In their various condolence messages, federal lawmakers of the state to include Senator Fatai Buhari, Honourables Olatoye Temitope Sugar, Segun Ogunwuyi and Abiodun Olasupo described the sudden death of Adeyemo as an irreparable loss for the nation.

They described Adeyemo as gentle, diligent, hardworking and an easy going politician who truly was passionate about the development of Oyo state and the nation at large.

Especially,

Honourable Olatoye recalled his personal relationship with the late speaker while they were both members of the 7th House of Assembly, as cordial.

In honour of the late Adeyemo, Senator Buhari announced the postponement of the commissioning of ICT and classrooms in across Oyo North Senatorial District scheduled for today (Saturday).

Buhari described Hon Adeyemo’s death as rude, shocking, devastating and one too sudden and too heavy to bear.

“He was a good and humble man, a man of peace and this is evidenced in his leadership style and relationship with other arms of the government, that is, the executive and judiciary,” Buhari said.

While commiserating with Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the people of Ibarapa and other residents of the state, he prayed that God grant Adeyemo’s families the fortitude to bear the loss.

Also, the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has described the death of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adesina Adeyemo as a calamity to not only the people of Oyo state but Nigerians and humanity as a whole.

Adeyemo, who is his second term member representing Ibarapa East State Constituency, died at Jericho Hospital, Ibadan on Friday at 47 years.

In a statement by the party’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Olawale Sadare, APC described the death as a devastating, saddening and unfathomable development which marks a dark spot in the anal of history of the state.

“One would wish our amiable Speaker did not die this time as his death creates a sad chapter in the pages of the history book of our dear state. Hon. Adeyemo had been a brilliant, hard working and passionate player since he joined politics from his legal professional practice.

“His three-year reign as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly was full of monumental achievements and posterity would always be kind to him because he served humanity to the best of his ability. Obviously, Oyo APC and the entire good people of the state have lost a rare gem.

“Our condolences go to members of his family, our leader; Governor Abiola Ajimobi, members of the State House of Assembly, the good people of Lanlate and Ibarapaland in general as well as his professional and political associates. We pray God to give all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the party said.

Meanwhile, members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Oyo State led by its Chairman, Mr Bayo Titilola-Sodo, were also the state House of Assembly on a condolence visit.

Titilola-Sodo described the news of Adeyemo’s death as shocking and incredible.

“This is a loss of such a young, vibrant, useful person to the state. We are just in shock and this is an incredible news. We pray for the repose of his soul,” Titilola-Sodo said.

Also, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Oyo State has expressed rude shock at the incident.

In a statement by its Chairperson, Mrs Foluso Lala and Secretary, Mrs Jadesola Ajibola, the union described Adeyemo as a good leader who ensured peaceful and cordial relationship among members of the Assembly.

Furthermore, the union said Adeyemo was a humble and down to earth lawmaker who was easy going and available to all regardless his exalted position.

“NAWOJ Oyo commiserates with the governor, all members of the state  House, his family and the entire good people of Oyo State. We pray that God will grant him peaceful rest and take care of all he left behind,” the statement read, in parts.

In their own reaction, the Oyo Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) said the union was particularly disturbed about the death of Adeyemo in his prime.

The NUJ in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Comrades Adewumi Faniran and Bola Ogunlayi, said it was more worrisome that Adeyemo’s death came on the heels of clamour for the power shift from the older generation to the youths.

Hon. Micheal Adeyemo died at age of 47 and was survived by his wife and children.

 

Background, Education, Career

Adeyemo, born into the Adeyemo family of Alaarun Compound in Lanlate, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of the State, is the first child of the family.

He attended the IMG (Ibadan Municipal Government), Oke-Ado, Ibadan for his primary education and Celestial Church High School, Oke-Ado, for his secondary education.

He bagged two University degrees, first at the University of Port Harcourt in Educational Management, graduating in Second Class Upper, and at the prestigious University of Ibadan, where he studied Law and graduated in 2004.

He practised at the Olujinmi & Akeredolu Law Firm and is reported to have just completed his own law firm at Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

With a passion to serve his people burning in him, he made his foray into politics in 2007 and had been a member of the state assembly from 2011 until his death.

He was quite active in the affairs of state and had presided over the plenary session of the House of Assembly on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, before its adjournment till May 3.

Popularly called AMA by friends and associates, the late Speaker who represented the Ibarapa East State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, was sworn in as Speaker of the State House of Assembly on June 12, 2015

Prior to his position as Speaker, he was Deputy Chief Whip of the House, member of Fund Allocation, Works and Transport, Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Appropriation and Public Finance committees of the 7th House of Assembly.

The late Speaker was the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Conference of Speakers and also the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, among Speakers of the States’ Houses of Assembly.

He was a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Bar Association. He also served on the executive committee of the Ibadan branch of the NBA as an Auditor and Assistant Secretary.

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