Tambuwal,Uduaghan ,Kalu ,Daramola Condole Ekiti, Mourn Death Of Fayemi’s Deputy

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has described the death of the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, as a monumental loss to the nation.

In a statement issued in Abuja signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said the deceased lived an examplary life of dedication and commitment to duty.

He said late Mrs. Olayinka combined family life and her duties as a public servant in a commendable manner, and prayed to almighty God to give her family, the people of Ekiti State and Nigerians as a whole the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

On his part,Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State expressed deep condolences with the people of Ekiti on the sudden death of the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka.

Dr Uduaghan also commiserated with Ekiti Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who he noted must have been greatly affected by the death of his deputy.

In a statement by Felix Ofou, his press secretary, the Delta Governor praised the courage and strength of the late Deputy Governor in the battle against cancer, adding that she worked tirelessly to please everyone until a few weeks ago when it was announced that she was proceeding on medical leave.

“Not once did she betray signs of being sick. May be a few persons were aware of her health status. All we saw was a courageous and strong woman willing to please everyone.”, he noted.

Governor Uduaghan described the late Deputy Governor as a calm, gentle easy going person, who identified and keyed into the projects of Governor Fayemi for Ekiti State.

He particularly praised the woman for dumping a lucrative banking job to join Dr Fayemi as deputy and waiting patiently for the courts to declare them victorious at the polls.

The Delta Governor prayed God to give the late Deputy Governor’s husband and family,Ekiti State and Dr Fayemi the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Also, former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Funmilayo Olayinka, as a great asset to the state.

Kalu, in a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Ouewumi, said by Olayinka’s death, Ekiti State has lost a great champion of development, accountability and fighter for justice and equity.

Kalu said he was particularly pleased with the role Olayinka played in the administration of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led government in Ekiti State before her death on Saturday.

Kalu condoled with the government and people of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Olayinka family and Olayinka’s political family, the Action Congress of Nigeria.

He said the National Leader of the ACN, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should take solace in the fact that he has succeeded in producing several towering administrators in the mould of Olayinka.

He said he was confident that there are more Olayinkas in the Ekiti State system who can take it up from where she left.

Hon Bimbo Daramola, representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1, dept chairman, House Committee MDGs  in his tribute said, “Today I am painfully sored. As I write this with grieving heart and from a broken heart on the passage to eternity of my dear sis, our own elegant stallion,heroine of repute, all of these epaulets and more well earned and deserved all through her sojourn on this side of the great divide.

“The grim reaper has done its worst, leaving in its trail tears, wailings and grief! A devasted Governor, First lady,husband , children, parents,  siblings and tens of thousands of political associates, friends and family.

Daramola added,“As the flag of our state fly at half mast today signposting the demise of our deputy governor,sis mi as i used to call her most admirably and affectionately and she will reply “broda mi”, I have cause to revisit our time together through the struggle for the soul of Ekiti, she bore the struggle stoically and God rewarded her, us and Ekiti with victory after three and a half years, it was this that reinforced my strident defence when her death was first rumoured gleefully by politicians, but it never turned out so, we lost this battle, but Jehova knows best. Sis mi, Ma Yeside, Adunni, the story of the rebirth of Ekiti will be incomplete without you, on this we have won, death shame unto you.Your task is over, the labourer is free from the earthly toils. Odigba. Beauty and brain.”