The wife of the late speaker Michael Adeyemo touching and weeping on the coffin as side Florence Ajimobi stood by her side

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

Tears freely flowed down from the eyes of the residents of Oyo State today as they saw the body of the Speaker of the state, late Rt. Hon. Michaeal Adesina lying lifess in a coffin. Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his wife, Florence, the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Abosede Adeyemo, legislators, civil servants, members of the judiciary, students, religious leaders, friends, family and friends betyrayed their emotion as they wept publicly. Intermitently, the governor kept wiping tears out of his face during a tribute and special session held in honour of the late speaker in the state House of Assembly.

The wife of the Speaker, Mrs. Abosede Adeyemo held on to the coffin of her husband speaking incoherently as people watched her in pity.

Adeyemo, the Speaker of the 8^th Assembly in the state, until his death represented Ibarapa East State Constituency on the All Progressive Congress, APC, last Friday morning died at 47 at Jericho Specialist Hospital, Ibadan.

Gov. Ajimobi, State Deputy Speaker, Hon. Musa and Otunba Alao Akala at the Lying-in-State Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo.

Among the eminent people who took their turn to speak about the late speaker was Governor Ajimobi, who affirmed that the demise of the speaker was a great loss to the state, his administration and APC. He described his death as unexpected and unfortunate.

Ajimobi stressed that his death has left a gaping wound that would take time to heal. He also described the late speaker a true patriot who was passionate about the progress of the state.

Also, the Nigerian Conference of Speakers described the death of the Speaker as a calamity and great loss not only to Oyo State but also to the country as a whole.

Hon. Edward Ubosi, the deputy speaker of the confrence who is also the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, described the deceased as a bridge builder who brought about the unity of all the South-West states.

Ubosi, who stated that Adeyemo was the defender of the defenseless said that while Adeyemo’s demise had affected all of the state Speakers, his death had only strengthen their resolve to work in harmony for the progress and prosperity of their respective states in honour of the deceased’s efforts.

Gov. Ajimobi, his wife, Florence and Mrs. Abosede Adeyemo, wife of the deceased

In his farewell speech, the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House, Hon. Musa Abdulwasi, described the late lawmaker as a dedicated lawmaker who contributed meaningful to the emergence and passage of quality bills that are of paramount public interests.

He said, “In the time that I have known him, we have come to form a great bond beyond mere comradeship and we had only just began our political journey together. His sudden death has cut that dream short and it has triggered many questions that are left unanswered. He was a fine legal practitioner who became a patriotic lawmaker, he was God fearing and a responsible son, husband and father”.

Hon. Solomon Ajanaku representing Ibadan South-West II, noted that the late Adeyemo who was a strongly believer in God,  a gentle, noble and astute politician who was never found wanting in his responsibilities as a Speaker.

Hon. Gbenga Oyekola representing Atiba/LP, said that Adeyemo was a man of integrity and a highly refined lawmaker who rose above party differences.

Others who were in attendance were: the former Governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo  Alao-Akala, the Speakers of Lagos, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Osun, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Niger, Delta, Kwara, Enugu, Ondo and Ogun states Houses of Assemblies, the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Abimbola Munta, Mr Niyi Akintola, SAN.

After the special session at the state House of Assembly, deceased was taken to Lanlate where he was interred in his private residence in the presence of his the wife, children and extended family.

Adeyemo’s final journey home began Wednesday when a service of songs was held in his honour at the Oke Ado Baptist Church, Ibadan with a special sitting on Thursday.

An open air funeral service jointly organised by Oke Ado Baptist Church, Ibadan and First Baptist Church, Lanlate which held at the New Park, Lanlate, Oyo state, Thursday was also well attended by people from all walks of life.

In his sermon, the President, Ibadan Baptist Conference, Dr. S. Adekunle said death is the only thing that would go round in the multitude of needs of humans.

Adekunle noted that the deceased Speaker has left a good name and legacy behind, the cleric charged the people to do things that would preserve their names by lifting up helpless people in the society.