The former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state, Chief Akin Oke, has described the late Babalaje of Sakiland, Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleosho, as a unique personality who achieved success in virtually every sphere of life and died a fulfilled man urging the younger generation to learn from his virtue of courage, hard work and selflessness.
Chief Koleosho who died in Ibadan on Monday at the age of 86 years served as a Commissioner in the administration of late Chief Bola Ige in the old Oyo state between 1979 and 1983. He was the pioneer chairman of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the state before he became the Secretary to the State Government between 1999 and 2003 under late Alhaji Lam Adesina before he emerged the national chairman of the same AD.
Chief Oke said, in a statement which he personally signed and made available to press men in Ibadan on Tuesday, that Koleosho was a rare breed personality who worked hard to achieve his set goals in business, politics and other endeavors. “Our path crossed in the late 1970s as followers of Awo, Baba Alayande and Chief Bola Ige. Since that time, Chief Koleosho was able to establish himself as an upright, loyal and courageous person.
“As a chieftain of Afenifere- the Pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Chief Koleosho played a key role in the struggles which facilitated the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999. Also, he was instrumental to the emergence of late Alh. Lam Adesina as the governor of the state while he served meritoriously as the SSG in the same AD administration for the whole of four years before he was made the national chairman of the defunct progressive party.
“Chief Koleosho was never found wanting in playing his fatherly role to the successive administrations in the state particularly that of late Gov. Abiola Ajimobi as an elder statesman while he was able to manage a business empire which empowered several thousands of people across the state and even beyond. Despite his enormous wealth and influence, he maintained a spartan life while he was so much committed to serving humanity and his native land.
“To this end, his passing did not only come with a shock and disbelief but also with regret as he left the state at a time when his wealth of experience as well as his influence was very much needed for the good of the state and the country as whole. While commiserating with the members of his immediate family, the good people of Saki and the entire state, we pray God to grant him eternal rest.” Chief Oke concluded.
