Soleye, Opaleye Contributed to Nation Building, Says Abiodun

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the late former Military Governor of Ondo State, Major General Ekundayo Opaleye, as a humble and intelligent officer who served his country and humanity diligently while alive.

 Abiodun, who made this assertion when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late General at their Ibara GRA resident in Abeokuta, said Ogun State has lost one of its illustrious sons who dedicated his life to nation-building and served as a great mentor to the young ones.

According to him, “Major General Ekundayo Opaleye served his country and humanity in several capacities, particularly as a top ranking officer of the Nigerian Army.

“He served with absolute integrity. The General indeed lived a life of impact, a life of service, dedication, and contribution.

“General Opaleye was always ready to share his experiences in life and in leadership. He always answers our call whenever we invite him for any event, and so I was shocked when I heard of his death.”

Governor Abiodun observed that the passage of the top military officer who died at the age of 77 is a reminder that life is transient hence the need for those still alive to be impactful so as to be remembered for good after their demise.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the departed and for God to give those he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss, the governor said the state government would set up a committee that would liaise with the family to give the late military officer a befitting burial.

Meanwhile, Governor Abiodun also described the late former Minister of Finance, Chief Onaolapo Soleye, as a trailblazer, who also contributed immensely to nation-building.

Abiodun stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the deceased at Ibara GRA, Abeokuta. He noted that Chief Soleye as a Minister of Finance during the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari, blazed the trail by displaying intellectual capacity that was never witnessed in the ministry.

As a worthy man remembered by his legacies, Governor Abiodun opined that the late former minister lived an accomplished life and left a foot print in the sand of time, saying he was an industrious and prominent son who made the Ogun State proud in all his public endeavours.

“He came, saw and conquered. He lived an impactful life with all sense of humility and fear of God. He was a good husband to his wife, a doting father to the children. He lived a good life, and we are proud of him,” the governor said.

In their separate remarks on behalf of their families, the son of General Opaleye, Mr. Kunle Opaleye, appreciated their late father for inculcating sense of humility on his children, while Pastor Lamide Soleye, appreciated the governor for standing by their families in trying times, saying they would cooperate with the state government on the burial plans of their father.