The Honourable Commissioner of Energy in Oyo State, Barr. Seun Ashamu, has described the death of the Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, as a loss on many levels.
Ashamu, in a statement on the death of Ayoola, revealed that he maintained a brotherly relationship with the late ex-speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
He wrote, “The news of the passing of my egbon and kinsman is not one to be taken lightly. It is a great loss on a number of levels- to the family, to His Excellency Gov. Seyi Makinde, to the Administration, to my home town of Oyo; and, to me personally.
“My first memories of Rt. Hon. Ayoola were in the mid-1990s. He hails from Appara, Oyo Town, not too far from my maternal family home. He was very close to one of my uncles so I knew him, from a distance. We had always maintained an egbon-aburo relationship over the years.
“We were both nominated as Commissioners Oyo State Government in the cabinet of His Excellency and we became close. He gave me the nickname “Seun-Energy” and when we shook hands in greeting he demonstrated electric shock. Both the nickname and play acting of electric shock caught-on among a number of our colleagues in the cabinet!
“We were the only Commissioners from Oyo town and constantly debated developmental issues relating to Oyo Town, Oyo State and Nigeria generally. This is when I was able to witness first-hand both his patriotism and cerebral capacity.
“To egbon Ayoola, age wasn’t a factor. He would often call and say “Your Honour, Seun Energy, Aburo mi, you are the future, what do you think about…?” He took me as an aburo, brother, friend, mentee and colleague.
“We last saw physically on 1st May 2020 (Worker’s Day). We met at his office to discuss developmental issues pertaining to our home town. Without knowing it would be the last time we would see, we took this photograph together. Since that day we spoke about 8 times as I sought updates on his health situation, only to receive such sad news yesterday.
He also noted that the death reminds him that humans have no control over divine matters.
He added,”I pray that his soul meets our Creator well, God forgives his misdeeds and accepts him into eternal paradise. May God Almighty also grant the Ayoola family, and the rest of us, the fortitude to bear this loss. A great loss to us all.”
