Shortly after the recent announcement of the death of a former Secretary to the government of Oyo State, Chief Michael Koleoso, who died at 86, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed great sadness over what he calls the end of a glorious era.
Koleoso, who is also the former National Chairman of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), was reported by family to have given up the ghost on Monday, September 2, 2024.
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday morning, Makinde stated that the news of Koleoso’s passing was shocking, thus comparing the loss of the elder statesman to the loss of a generation of patriotic individuals who are committed to the growth and development of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
Reflecting on the strong bond they shared, the governor addressed the late Babalaje of Saki as a courageous “father” to whom he gave high respect because of his fearless but timely counsel and words of wisdom.
“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 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,” the governor stated.
Makinde therefore commiserated with the family of the deceased, including the entire people of Saki, Oyo State, and Nigeria, praying that God grant eternal peace to the late political giant.
“I express my condolences to the Koleoso 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,” he said.
Since his election as a Councillor for Ifedapo Local Government Area in 1976, the late Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleoso was often addressed as a veteran in the political scene of Oyo State. Added to that, he was also a highly educated businessman who owned many businesses to his name during his lifetime.
His family name, Koleoso, remains one of the most popular names in Saki town and among the whole of Oke Ogun communities.
