The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Wednesday, said the late former governor of Oyo State, Christopher Alao-Akala, served with dedication, making very important contributions to the development of institutions and communities.
Alao-Akala, a former police officer, served as deputy governor before becoming governor of Oyo State.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said Buhari commiserated with the Alao-Akala family, the government and people of Oyo State over the former governor’s passing.
“As a former police officer and civilian governor with an extensive political career, the President affirms that Otunba Akala served the country and the people of Oyo State with dedication, making very important contributions to the development of institutions and communities.
“The President trusts that family, friends and associates who mourn the late governor, will honour his vision of entrenching good governance in the country and passion to lift the downtrodden in the society.
“The President prays God Almighty to grant the departed eternal rest and comfort those who mourn.”
In a related development, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday, abruptly ended the 2022 Inter-faith Prayer Service organised by the Oyo State Civil Service, following the receipt of the news of the death of a former Governor of the State, Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Makinde, who called for a minute silence for the former Governor, who also served as Deputy Governor of the State between 2003 and 2007, prayed to God to grant repose to his soul.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Governor Makinde, who was attending the annual Inter-faith Service held to mark the commencement of the New Year, did not read the speech he prepared for the event.
He condoled with the immediate family members of the former Governor, his political associates and all residents of the State whose paths have crossed with Chief Alao-Akala.
He said: “I am here with the speech prepared for this event but I have just been informed about the death of former Governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo-Akala.
“I pray that God grant his loved ones and all his well-wishers the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Earlier, the Head of Service, Alhaja Ololade Agboola, commended Governor Makinde for seeing the workers of the state as major instruments towards the realisation of his agenda and fulfilment of his campaign promises.
She explained that civil/public workers of the state have been instrumental to the increase in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and the development of the state as a whole.
She maintained that over 70,900 workers have been trained both within and outside the state despite the economic challenges faced by the country and the state in 2021.
Agboola, who enjoined all workers in the state to reciprocate the good gesture of the Governor by rededicating themselves to works and ensuring that Oyo State is taken to an enviable position, urged them to shun any act that is against the service rules and regulations.
In their separate sermons, the Chief Imam of the Government House, Alhaji Hamada Rufai and the Provost of St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, Dr. Wale Adebiyi, called on those in power to govern with the fear of God at all times.
The duo equally called on the civil servants to do their works diligently.
