Fayemi Mourns Former Ekiti Administrator, Olurin
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State, has expressed his condolences on the death of Brig.-Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd. ), a former Administrator of the state, who died on Saturday morning at the age of 76.
Gen. Olurin, a former military governor of the old Oyo State, served as Sole Administrator of Ekiti State for six months between October 19, 2006, and April 27, 2007, under the state of emergency declared by the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration in the wake of the state’s political turmoil.
Governor Fayemi hailed Gen. Olurin’s death as a major loss to Nigeria, Ogun State, his home state, and Ekiti, which he helped stabilize during the six-month emergency rule, in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode.
He praised the late General as a selfless statesman, brave soldier, and unselfish patriot who dedicated his life to serving his country both in active duty and in retirement.
The Governor noted that the deceased carried out his duties as the Sole Administrator of Ekiti State with remarkable justice and firmness, and that he left some legacy that would be remembered in the Land of Honour’s history.
Although the late Gen. Olurin was a soldier, Dr. Fayemi said he was a man of the people who cared deeply about their well-being and was always willing to fix problems brought to his attention.
During his time as the Military Governor of the old Oyo State and as the Field Commander of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia, Gen. Olurin demonstrated his humanity and professionalism, according to the Governor.
According to him, a history of how a permanent peace was established in the then-war-torn Liberia would be incomplete without a mention and glowing chapters written about the late General Olurin’s sterling achievements.
He expressed regret that Gen. Olurin’s death came only a few weeks after the passing of Mrs. Abike Sonoiki, an illustrious daughter of Ekiti who served as Secretary to the State Government during the emergency rule (SSG).
The Governor prayed that God would give the deceased’s family and friends the strength to face the loss, asking them to be comforted by the legacies of service, selflessness, and excellence he left behind.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the immediate family and associates of our amiable General Olurin. Our prayer is that God will grant the deceased eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.” the Governor said.
