Former Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Adeolu Akande, has expressed sadness over the death of former Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Chief Michael Koleoso. Chief Koleoso died on Monday at the age of 86 years.
Prof. Akande, in a statement made available to correspondents in Abuja, described Chief Micheal Adeniyi Koleoso as an irreplaceable leader in the politics of Oyo State in particular and Oyo State in general.
Prof. Akande noted that with the passage of Chief Koleoso, Nigeria has lost a major bridge between contemporary politics and the politics of the first and second republics.
He also noted that Nigeria has lost a model politician whose successful life thought every aspiring politician that politics should not be taken as a meal ticket.
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” Baba was a highly successful businessman whose success was acknowledged with the conferment of the celebrated title of Babalaje of Sakiland on him. He was a distinguished civil servant whose accomplishments in service remained a reference point in the healthcare delivery system of Oyo State. He was one of the most successful politicians in contemporary Nigeria who served in the entire echelon of national politics, having served at various times as a councillor,elected member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Commissioner, Secretary to State Government and National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy(AD). He was one of the most successful businessmen not only in Oyo State but in Nigeria, even while he lived a modest life worthy of emulation.
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He was not an “anyhow politician”. His commitment to progressive politics was unparalleled, and he stood by the cherished principles of progressive politics until he breathed his last.
Chief Koleoso was an advocate of “politics without bitterness” and he played the role of a true elder statesman in Oyo State as he offered his time and counsel to politicians of different tendencies and hues until his last days. He was a truly wise man from whom I learnt a lot. In his death,I lost a father figure.
As it is said,the death of an elder is like the burning of a library. Baba Koleoso’s death will deprive us of the counsel of a repository of knowledge about our history, tradition, politics, and economy.
“I extend my condolences to the illustrious Koleoso family of Sakiland, the good people of Sakiland,Oke Ogun, and Oyo State. I pray that God grants Baba eternal rest.”he concluded.
