Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said the finality of the death of Dr. Bolu Akin -Olugbade is one too difficult to accept.
Obasanjo in the letter issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, to the wife of the deceased, Chief( Mrs) Oladunni Akin-Olugbade said in spite of his privileged background, Bolu did not lose the common touch.
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He said Akin-Olugbade was as passionate in his defence of Nigerian unity as he was devoted to his roots adding that his death was a great loss to Owu kingdom,him personally and Ogun State in general.
It is with a heavy heart that I write to commiserate with you and the entire family on the sudden transition of your beloved husband, Dr. Bolu Akin-Olugbade. A brilliant lawyer, successful businessman, adroit politician, philanthropist and community leader, his demise is a great loss not only to his family but also to me personally, to Owu Kingdom and all Owu people as well as to Ogun State, his State of origin.
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Inspite of his privileged background, Bolu did not lose the common touch. He was as passionate in his defence of Nigerian unity as he was devoted to his roots. No wonder, he actively promoted the history and culture of his local community who also immensely benefited from his wise counsel and generosity.
“As Aare Ona Kakanfo and a prominent son of Owu Kingdom, our much-respected brother contributed to better understanding and harmony among our people.
” He was a committed and an effective representative of his people and worked for their progress. His unfaltering support for the general interest of Owu Kingdom and its Chiefs-in-Council cannot be over-emphasised.
” He was loyal, devoted, dedicated and faithful generally to Owu cause and interest. As the Chair of Owu Empowerment Committee, he gave in cash and kind. Bolu will be greatly missed by his community, Local Government Area, State and the nation in general. All Owu people have lost a great son.
Narrating his personal experience with him Obasanjo said, ” Bolu spent part of his early and youthful years with me in Dodan Barracks while I was at the helm of affairs of Nigeria as a senior military officer and Military Head of State, where he enjoyed what I would term as fatherly care and tutelage from me.
” He was such a young man with promising future and he benefitted so much from my experience which he continually and steadily enjoyed until his death.
” Indeed, the memory of his fraternity with me as a son with such closeness will continue to linger with me and make his demise particularly painful to me.
” The finality of Bolu’s death is difficult to accept, especially as he still had a lot to contribute to his community and nation in general, but we can draw solace from knowing that he left his mark indelibly on the social and economic landscape of our beloved country.
” And he will always be remembered by all Owu people in Abeokuta and everywhere we have Owu settlements.
On behalf of my family, my own behalf, the Owu people in Abeokuta and everywhere else in the world, I extend heartfelt condolences to youand, through you, to the entire Akin-Olugbade family on his bereavement.
” May Almighty God grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and eternal repose to the gentle soul of our dear departed Bolu,he concluded.
