Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State, has described the death of Gbenga Aluko, a former Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, as startling and tragic.
The 58-year-old Ode-Ekiti-born politician and businessman died on Saturday in Abuja.
Dr. Fayemi called Aluko’s death as a massive loss to the state and the country in a sympathy statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode.
“I have lost a dear brother and friend”, the Governor said, adding that Senator Aluko’s death was not only a loss to the state but a personal loss to him, having had a cordial relationship with the deceased spanning four decades.
The Governor said the late Gbenga Aluko was not only a brother and friend but also a patriotic Ekiti indigene whose contributions to the development of the State cannot be overstated.
Governor Fayemi described the former governorship candidate as a successful private sector player, a refined gentleman, and a respectable politician who had a significant effect on nearly every part of life.
The deceased encouraged the development of a Chest Clinic at the Oba Adejugbe General Hospital in Ado Ekiti, according to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), a project he described as being of tremendous significance to the State’s health sector. He also mentioned how the deceased generously worked on the Ekiti State Covid-19 Response Committee.
The Governor who noted the deceased’s brilliance and generosity of spirit said the late Aluko served his fatherland diligently and made Ekiti proud through numerous achievements.
“Senator Gbenga Aluko invested his time, resources, and energy on many laudable initiatives that impacted positively on the lives of the people and were always ready to support any worthy Ekiti cause with his wealth of experience and extensive national and global contacts.
“For us in Ekiti, this is a huge loss. And it is a personal loss to me. We, however, cannot question God but we are consoled by the fact that he lived a decent life of service and made a great impact in the lives of the people. He shall be sorely missed.
“On behalf of my wife, the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the Aluko family and pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”, Fayemi said.
Recall that the late Senator Aluko, one of the children of the renowned Economist, late Professor Sam Aluko, carved an identity for himself as a successful corporate player who got elected onto the Senate of the Federal Republic in 1999 at the age of 36 years.
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