AKANDE WIFE’S DEATH: Buhari speaks with widower; Osinbajo others attend burial

By Gbenga Olarinoye, Gbenga Oke & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday commiserated with pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bisi Akande over the death of his wife, Omowunmi.

President Buhari who is recuperating in London was said to have called Akande on phone to express his heart-felt sadness over the demise of his wife.

President Buhari according to the statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said, “I received the very sad news of the death of your dearly beloved wife, Madam Omowunmi Akande this morning. I am following our phone call with this letter of condolence, which comes from my heart. To lose a wife after 50 years, a constant and loving companion through good and bad times, is a blow that only a man of unshakeable faith can withstand. Please extend my personal condolences to the immediate and wider Akande family and to friends of the family for this irreparable loss.”

Meanwhile, Acting President Yemi Osibajo, has called on Nigerians to be united if the nation will attain greatness.

While speaking at the burial of late Mrs  Akande,  he said President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has demonstrated high sense of commitment in sustaining unity and togetherness among Nigerian People.

The Acting President, who represented his boss, warned Nigerians against any divisive tendency that can truncate peace and glorify choas, saying it is time for all to  derive comfort  in the nation’s diversity.

He said: “It has become pertinent on us as Nigerians to do all we could to sustain the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria and as well maintain the principle of unity, peace and togetherness.

“I want to urge every Nigerian to support the unity that we stand for. Unity across this country means a lot to our collective existence.

“We want to encourage each and everyone of us to champion peace. There can be no division in Nigeria. No division, no separation, this country is great. This country is great because all of us are here for one Nigeria.

“Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, everyone of us, all of us had made this country great. I want to encourage every Nigerian whenever they may be that we must stand together, we must be united.”

Osinbajo commended the former Governor of Lagos state, Senator Ahmed Tinubu for being supportive to the present administration.

“You don’t need to talk about Nigeria’s unity when you can demonstrate it by practical acts and he, Tinubu has always demonstrated it practically.”

Describing the deceased as a rare gem, Osinbajo said,”We thank God that Mama lived a life worthy of emulation. We thank God that she lived a life that we can remember with joy, a life that we can remember with thanksgiving.

“We thank God that Mama lived a life of loyalty to her husband. Loyalty to her country and with those legacies that she has left behind is a testimony of our gathering here today.

“We are here to celebrate a great woman. We all know that Mama was a strong pillar for our leader, Chief Adebisi Akande.”

Corroborating the position, the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria remains non-negotiable.

He called on Nigerians to see the unity of Nigeria as a duty of all, just as he warned against acts that could terminate the already built peace in the country.

Four of the six South-west  governors  of Osun state, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, Oyo state, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, Ondo state  Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, Ogun state, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun were also present to honour Akande’s family.

Late Mrs Sikirat Omowumi Akande died at the age of 73 on Tuesday at a University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Also speaking, Alhaji Jamiu Kewuyemi, the Leader of the League of Alfas in Ila-Orangun, urged political leaders in the country to imbibe the fear of God in all they do.

Kewuyemi in his sermon, called on Nigerians to embrace righteousness so as to prepare for a better life after death.

Dignitaries present at the fidau included APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as well as Gen. Alani Akinrinade, (Rtd), Chief Segun Oni, APC National Deputy Chairman (South) and former IGP Tafa Balogun, Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a former EFCC chairman.

In a related development, the Osun State government has described the death of the former governors wife in the state as a big loss to the state and the entire nation.

This was contained in a condolence message from the office of the governor signed by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon.

According to the statement, the death of the Akande’s matriarch has put an end to her maternal role in the socio-political affairs of the state adding that she would be greatly missed by the government and the people of the state.

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