The Oyo State Government has announced the passing away of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Michael Adeyemo who died early Friday morning after a sudden illness. He was aged 47.
A three-day mourning period, starting from Monday, April 30 to Wednesday, May 2, 2018, has been declared by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who also directed that flags be flown at half-mast during the period.
The governor, who was on official assignment outside the state had to rush down to Ibadan when the news was broken to him and headed straight to the Anatomy Department of the University of Ibadan where the late speaker’s remains were kept.
Ajimobi had a lengthy discussion with the pathologists to ascertain the likely cause of the death and whether it could have been prevented, after which he spoke with the family members and a large number of sympathisers on ground.
Born into the Adeyemo family of Alaarun Compound in Lanlate, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of the State, the deceased was the first child of the family.
He attended Ibadan Municipal Government (IMG), Oke Ado, Ibadan for his primary education and was at Celestial Church High School, also in Oke Ado, for his secondary education.
Adeyemo bagged two university degrees, first at the University of Port Harcourt in educational management, graduating in second class upper and at the prestigious University of Ibadan, where he studied law and graduated in 2004. He practised at the Olujinmi & Akeredolu Law Firm.
He made his foray into politics in 2007 and had been a member of the state assembly from 2011 till his death.
Governor Ajimobi described the death as a tragic loss for him and the people of the state.
“I received the news of the untimely passage of my brother, friend and dependable political ally, with grief and utter shock, this morning (Friday).
“He was a fine gentleman and bridge builder, who was committed to the development and progress of the state. His death has left a gaping void that will be difficult to fill,” he said.
The governor expressed sadness that death had again taken away one of the brightest, dutiful and committed political leaders in the state, who had used his sagacity in piloting the affairs of the Assembly without rancour.
As the leader of the legislative arm of government, with members from different political parties, the governor said that Adeyemo ensured that the relationship with the Executive was very robust.
