Former military governor of Oyo State, Brig.-Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd.), is dead.
He was reported to have died on Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, at the age of 76.
He hailed from Ilaro, Ogun State.
Already, tributes have started pouring in with many extolling his virtues.
The governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, described him as a great man.
His words: “It is sunset for another great man and one of the first set of leaders that providence gave to Oyo State at its earliest stage.
“Through the efforts and contributions of Gen. Olurin and other leaders, the foundation for the shaping of the Pacesetter State, which has become a first among equals, was successfully laid.
“General Olurin’s death at this time when his wealth of experience in leadership can be of immense help to the current crop of leaders is painful.”
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described Olurin’s death as a great loss to Nigeria, Ogun State, and Ekiti, “which he helped stabilised during the six-month emergency rule.”
Fayemi described the late General as a selfless statesman, courageous soldier and an altruistic patriot who served his country diligently while in active service and during his retirement.
Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye, Olurin’s running mate when he ran as governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State in 2011 said:
“A retired General in the Nigerian Army, General Olurin gave a very good account of himself in various command posts, including his meritorious service as Commander of the Ecomog Force in Liberia, for which he got decorated severally.
“I was privileged to be his running-mate for the 2011 governorship election in Ogun State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As a political leader and mentor, I knew him to be strict disciplinarian, modest-living, courageous, good listener and a strategist with profound foresight.
“While praying to God to grant his soul eternal rest, and his family succour, I commiserate will all his family members, professional and political associates, especially our leader and former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.”
