Condolences as Bisi Akande loses wife

The Presidency, Oyo and Osun State Governments as well as the ruling APC on Wednesday condoled with elder statesman, Chief Bisi Akande, on the death of his wife, Omowunmi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased, who was 73, died on Tuesday evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, following a brief illness.

NAN reports that among the dignitaries who were at the Ila-Orangun country home of the Akandes were Mr Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief John Oyegun, the APC National Chairman and Alhaji Lawan Shuaibu, the party’s National Deputy Chairman.

Also in attendance were Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun and his Oyo State counterpart, Gov.Abiola Ajimobi, as well as Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture.

Dr Kayode Fayemi, the Minister of Solid Minerals and Mr Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Works, Power and Housing were also there.

Kyari, who led the presidential delegation, described the deceased as a loss to the nation.

“Yesternight, I received a call from Acting President Yemi Osinbajo while he was with President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

“He gave me the news of Madam Akande’s death and said that the president and himself are very sad over the sudden death of Mrs Akande.

“He there after directed that I lead a presidential delegation to Ila-Orangun immediately to condole with Chief Akande,’’ he said.

Kyari, however, said a formal communication from the presidency would reach Chief Akande in a few hours.

Oyegun, on his part, stated that though sad, gratitude must be expressed to God as the deceased passed on peacefully into eternity.

“The APC is very sorry and deeply touched about the death of your wife. It is clear that she has found favour.

“We thank God that she was not subjected to sufferings and did not suffer humiliation. While we mourn, we give glory to God,’’ he said.

Ajimobi expressed sadness at the demise of the deceased, saying he was, however, pleased that she witnessed the marriage of her last child two weeks ago.

“On behalf of the people of Oyo State, I want to register our sadness on the loss of Madam Omowunmi Akande.

“I am particularly pleased that Mama achieved three things before her death; Mama witnessed the marriage of her last child, she had a glorious exit and she left a legacy of godliness,’’ he said.

Aregbesola described the death as sad and an irreparable loss to a great leader, Osun and the country.

“This development is overwhelmingly painful because we need Baba Akande’s attention now more than ever.

“Baba knows more than we do about life’s entry and exit. The entry is always with joy, while the departure is with grief and sadness,’’ he said.

NAN learnt that the news of the death was broken to her husband in Ibadan on Tuesday at exactly 7.30pm.

Akande, a former Interim National Chairman of the APC, was accompanied by Ajimobi, Aregbesola and members of the Oyo State Executive Council from Ibadan to Ila-Orangun where he was received by sympathisers at his country home.