Former Kwara State Governor and ex-Minister of Communications, Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, has passed away at the age of 84. He died in the early hours of Wednesday, marking the end of a notable career in Nigeria’s political and public service landscape.
Who Was Adebayo?
Born February 24, 1941, in Igbaja, Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State, Adebayo was a seasoned administrator and respected statesman. He entered politics in 1979 as a Senator under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and became Governor of Kwara State in 1983, before the tenure was cut short by a military coup.
Years later, he served as Minister of Communications during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, where he contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Tributes:
The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, mourned the former governor, describing him as “an administrator par excellence.”
In a statement by his Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir extended his condolences to:
- Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
- The people of Kwara State
- Adebayo’s family and political associates
He prayed for the peaceful repose of Adebayo’s soul and strength for his loved ones.
Why It Matters:
Cornelius Adebayo was a pioneer figure in Kwara and Nigerian politics, remembered for his integrity, humility, and contributions to governance during both democratic and military eras. His death marks the loss of one of the state’s elder statesmen.
