June 25, (THEWILL) – A former Minister of Communications, Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, died on Wednesday morning in Abuja at the age of 84.
Born on February 24, 1941, in Igbaja, in the present Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Adebayo was elected governor of Kwara State in 1983.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement read: “I received with sadness but submission to the will of God the report of the death of His Excellency, former Governor Cornelius Adebayo. He was 84.
“C.O. Adebayo, as he was fondly called, was an all-time patriot, statesman, and progressive who represented great ideals and fought for good causes throughout his lifetime.
“With his carriage and roles at various levels of leadership, the former Governor stood tall and earned the respect and admiration of all. He left a fine legacy as a democrat who stood up at critical moments of our history.
“On behalf of the people and government of our state, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and associates at this difficult moment.
“I beseech the Almighty to repose his gentle soul and give strength to all of us, especially family members, at this moment.”
Adebayo was Commissioner for Education and later Commissioner for Information and Economic Development in Kwara State between 1975 and 1978. He was elected senator under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in 1979.
In 1983, Adebayo was elected governor of Kwara state, but was removed on December 31, 1983, when the military overthrow led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari took control. He later became Minister of Communications during the Olusegun Obasanjo-led government in 1999.
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