• Baba teacher left a strong legacy of service to humanity – Presidency
• His loss is painful – Sanwo-Olu
Heavy, indeed, is the tread of the living to the gravestone of their foregone beloved. Death has dealt a heavy blow to the amiable governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun. The sky is no longer a silvery and opalescent delight; it alters between pitch black and brackish as the Ogun governor and his Iperu-Remo clan bemoan the loss of their patriarch, renowned educationist, Dr. Emmanuel Abiodun.
The deceased passed on after a brief illness, on Monday, at the age of 89.
Since his demise, the governor and his relatives have been inundated with condolence messages from home and abroad.
Not to be left out, Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday commiserated with Abiodun, and the Iperu-Remo family over the loss of their loved one.
The President’s condolence message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
In the statement titled ‘President Buhari condoles with Gov Dapo Abiodun over the passing of Dad, Dr Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun,’ Buhari said the deceased left a strong legacy of service to humanity.
The statement read, “President Buhari condoles with institutions and educationists in the state, who had worked with Dr Abiodun, fondly called ‘Baba Teacher’ over many years, affirming that the principles of living for God, good of others and the country, and sharing knowledge greatly impacted on entire Western Nigeria and the country.
“The President believes Dr Abiodun’s passing, leaving a strong legacy of service to humanity, further stirs the need for reflection and making of right choices for living, particularly in working for the betterment of mankind.”
Buhari urged the governor and all family members to take solace in the good works of their father, grandfather and great grandfather while praying for the repose of his soul.
On his part, the Senate President condoled with the entire Abiodun family, government and people of Ogun State over the demise of the educationist, who made indelible contributions to manpower development in Nigeria.
“The Abiodun Family can take solace in the fact that its Partriarch lived an impactful life as evident in his own great accomplishments and those of his children.
“Baba Teacher will continue to live in the hearts of the numerous people to whom he imparted knowledge as a school teacher,” the Senate President said, even as he prayed God to grant Papa Abiodun eternal rest and the family fortitude to bear his loss.
Tinubu, in his condolence letter said the late Dr. Abiodun “lived a remarkable life, touched many lives and mentored many young ones as a school teacher and educationist for many years across the old Western Region of Nigeria.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of your father and patriarch of the Abiodun Family, Dr. Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, on Monday, August 2 in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State.
“By way of this letter, I extend my deepest condolences to you and other members of your family. To lose a father no matter how old can be a very painful experience. However, I urge you to take heart and be consoled by the memories of the good times you shared together and the fact that Dr. Abiodun lived to a rather advanced age of 89.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has equally commiserated with Abiodun.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, urged Governor Abiodun, the deceased family, friends and entire people of Iperu-Remo and Ogun State in general to immortalise the good name of the late octogenarian.
He said: “The death of a loved one, especially patriarch of a family, is usually painful as it is irreparable but we must always take solace in God for a good life lived by the deceased
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, also condoled with Governor Abiodun, noting that the late patriarch was a devout Christian who cultivated good virtues in his children while he spent most of his years as an educationist, working as a teacher across the old Western State.
Governor Bello admonished the family to take comfort in the fact that the Patriarch lived a fulfilled life and contributed meaningfully to the advancement of many, while he prayed for God to grant those grieved the fortitude to bear the loss.
