Fayemi mourns former minister, Ayo Ogunlade

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has described the death of Chief Ayodele Ogunlade, a renowned journalist and former Minister of National Planning, as a great loss to the state and the country.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi said Ogunlade was a man of honour and a worthy ambassador of Ekiti State.

The Ilupeju Ekiti-born industrialist and statesman died on Monday at the age of 88 years.

According to the governor, the late minister projected the core values of excellence, hard work and integrity for which Ekiti people are known.

He said that Ogunlade positively influenced the lives of many people when he began his career as a teacher before joining the Western Nigeria Television and the Broadcasting Service of Ondo State.

“This is where he rose through the ranks until 1976 when he was appointed as General Manager of Ondo State Broadcasting Service,” he said.

“Ogunlade’s appointment as permanent secretary in Ondo State barely two years after his elevation as general manager is a lesson that hard work is rewarding.”

He noted that the young generation of Nigerians should emulate this virtue, which later got Ogunlade appointed as Minister of National Planning under the military rule of General Sani Abacha.

The governor said Ogunlade’s life, as a community leader, journalist and industrialist, who ensured his family’s business became a household name, was inspiring and emulating.

He said Ogunlade would be greatly missed and remembered for his selfless contributions to national development.

“Our highly revered Baba Ogunlade was an icon of excellence, hard work and courage, for which Ekiti people are known.

“He was a beacon of hope and lived an inspiring life, which the younger generation of Nigerians should emulate. His death is the end of another era, which will not easily be forgotten.

“His death is a loss, not only to Ekiti State but also Nigeria at large.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the family of Chief Ayo Ogunlade, and also pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the loss,” Fayemi said.