Oyo State has been thrown into mourning following the passing of one of its most revered leaders, Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleosho.
Chief Koleosho died on Monday at the age of 86.
Koleosho, a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government under the late Governor Lam Adesina and a towering figure in Nigerian politics, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a rich legacy of public service and community development.
The deceased’s illustrious career spanned several decades, during which he played a pivotal role in the development of Oyo State.
He served as the Commissioner for Works and Transport during the second republic under late Chief Bola Ige, where he was instrumental in the establishment of The Polytechnic of Ibadan, Saki Satellite campus, now The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic.
This institution has since become a key center of learning in the region, providing educational opportunities to countless students.
In recognition of his profound impact, the Oyo State government, under Governor Seyi Makinde, recently renamed the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic after Koleosho.
The renaming serves as a lasting tribute to his contributions to the region’s educational and infrastructural development.
Beyond his state-level achievements, Chief Koleosho also made his mark on the national political stage. He was the National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), a political party that played a significant role in Nigeria’s democratic transition in the early 2000s.
Although the Alliance for Democracy is now defunct, its legacy, much like Chief Koleosho’s, remains influential in Nigerian political history.
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde has described the death of a former SSG as the end of an era.
The governor said Oyo State and Nigeria have lost a great patriot and a political icon, who played outstanding roles in national development.
The governor in a statement on Tuesday, noted that Koleoso, who until his death was the Babalaje of Saki, was one of the last men standing from a generation of great men and women who gave their best to serving Oyo State and Nigeria.
He expressed his condolences to the immediate and political families of the deceased leader, the people of Saki and all residents of Oyo State, praying to God to grant everyone the fortitude to bear the loss.
He said “I received the news of the death of Baba Michael Koleoso, the Babalaje of Saki with shock and sadness.
“Oyo State and Nigeria have lost a great patriot and selfless leader, one of the last men standing in the batch of leaders who gave their all to make Nigeria a better place.
“People who know me know me know that I had a special bond with Babalaje; I held him as a father and had the utmost regard for him, as he was a courageous and upright leader who spoke truth to power.
“We’ve relied on his guidance and wealth of experience in guiding our great state to greatness, and Babalaje did love this state till his dying days.
“I express my condolences to Koleosho family of Saki, his political family spread across the state and Nigeria as well as the people of Saki and Oyo State.
“It is the end of a glorious era and we can only pray to God to grant repose to the soul of our Baba.”
The news of Chief Koleosho’s passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, community members, and citizens across Oyo State and Nigeria.
Many have praised his unwavering commitment to public service, his visionary leadership, and his lifelong dedication to improving the lives of those around him.
He is remembered as a statesman whose legacy will endure through the many institutions and initiatives he helped establish.
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