*President Tinubu, Governors Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun Mourn Him
The grandson of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, (the late Premier of Old Western Region), Olusegun Awolowo is dead. Olusegun, (the son of the first son of Awo) , a lawyer who served as Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council for two consecutive terms,, died on Thursday November 20. He was 62 .
The Family Announcement:
Statement on the Passing of Olusegun Awolowo
“With extremely heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather- Olusegun Awolowo.
“He was the world’s most phenomenal husband, father and grandfather — steady, wise, endlessly loving, and the constant anchor of our family. A painfully loyal servant to Nigeria, he dedicated his life to the service of his country with vision, integrity, passion, and unwavering commitment. He was a true family man, a great friend, a wonderful servant of God, and a deeply beautiful human being.
“He loved his family.
He loved his work.
He loved his country.
And he lived every day with purpose, humility, and a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him.
“We are shattered by this loss, but forever grateful for his life, his legacy, and the love he poured into all of us. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
The Awolowo Family
President Tinubu mourns the passing of Awo’s grandson, Segun Awolowo
President Bola Tinubu is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Olusegun Awolowo, the grandson of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The President describes Segun Awolowo’s death at 62 as unfortunate and a tragic loss “not only to the Awolowo family, but also to the entire country.”
The President notes that the late Segun distinguished himself as a scion of the Awolowo family.
“Segun exemplified the Awolowo pedigree in appearance, character and demeanour. Like his grandfather, he was a lawyer committed to defending truth and justice.
“He made significant contributions to Nigeria. He served diligently as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council from 2013 to 2021, standing as the longest serving executive director of the agency in history,” the President says.
“My sympathy and condolences to his wife and children, the Awolowo family, and his mum, our own Sisi Abah Folawiyo.
“I also commiserate with the governments and people of Ogun State, the entire South-west geopolitical zone, and Nigeria, over this painful loss. May his soul rest in peace.”
Gov. Dapo Abiodun Sends Condolences
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the passing of Mr Olusegun Awolowo Jr., grandson of former Nigerian nationalist, and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as a deeply profound personal loss.
Abiodun, who described the lawyer and ex- executive director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, as a gentleman par excellence, voice of courage and consummate public servant, at 62 as a deeply shocking incident, said he received news of his passing with utter disbelief, but will however treasure memories of his acquaintance.
He said that to all who knew him, Mr Segun Awolowo was affable, highly intelligent, extremely affable and easy going, adding that he will be sorely missed.
He said: “It is extremely hard to process the news that Segun Awolowo Jr. is gone, but we submit unreservedly to the decision of the Almighty God, who has called him into His bosom.
“We are deeply heartbroken, but we will take consolation in the exemplary great lessons his life taught us, for he was such a jolly good fellow.
“Born two months after his father’s death, Awolowo Jr. was acquainted with grief from childhood, but he rose above the challenges and became an icon in his own right.
” Awolowo Jr. worked with the law firm of Abayomi Sogbesan & Co. and also with the law firm of GOK Ajayi & Co. after his call to bar in December 1989 and served in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration as a Special Assistant on Traditional Institutions, Legal Due Diligence and Legal Matters.
” His public service record, including his time as Special Assistant to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and as Secretary for Social Development and Secretary of Transport, FCT, from 2007 to 2011, and executive director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council from 2013 to 2021, was unblemished.
“He gave his best in advancing the fortunes of Nigeria, and it was not by accident that he was, in July 2021, unanimously elected as the President of National Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) from ECOWAS member States.
“Appointed the secretary, national action committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, Awolowo Jr. worked with other distinguished Nigerians to partake in concluding trade reforms programmes at ECOWAS, including the adoption of common trade policy, the establishment of an ECOWAS trade policy committee, and to resolve issues in the ECOWAS trade liberalisation scheme (ETLS), together with the establishment of an ECOWAS Members peer review and audit mechanism, and amending article nine on ECOWAS protocol on decision making.
“As secretary, he was expected to provide direction to the committee for effective coordination of relevant stakeholders towards the attainment of Nigeria’s strategic national interest, and he did well in this regard.
“His earthly sojourn may have been brief, but it was hugely impactful. I commiserate with his dear wife and children, the Awolowo family, and Nigerians in general. May his gentle soul rest in sweet repose.
Sanwo-Olu Mourns Him
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of Mr Olusegun Awolowo, the grandson of the Premier of the Western Region and nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He described the deceased, who was a former Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, as a patriotic Nigerian who served his country with vision, integrity, passion and unwavering commitment.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday sympathised with the Awolowo family on the passing of the late Olusegun Awolowo.
Sanwo-Olu, also condoled with friends and associates of the late Olusegun Awolowo, describing his death as shocking and great loss to the country.
He said: “It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I commiserate with the family, friends and associates of the late Olusegun Awolowo. He was undoubtedly a great Nigerian, who served his country passionately. He was also a good ambassador of the Awolowo family.
“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, I express my heartfelt condolences to the Awolowo family, as well as friends and associates of the deceased. I pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant Olusegun Awolowo eternal rest.”
Leave a Reply