Chief Cornelius Adebayo, a one-time Governor of Kwara State and Minister of Communications, has passed away at the age of 84.
Born on February 24, 1941, in Igbaja, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara, Adebayo died in the early hours of Wednesday and was known for his impactful service in both state and national capacities.
He rose to political prominence in 1979 as a Senator on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria under the leadership of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He later became Governor of Kwara State in 1983, a tenure cut short by a military coup on December 31,1983 by the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s junta.
Years later, he was appointed Minister of Communications by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Reacting to his death, the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, described Adebayo as “an administrator par excellence”, expressing deep sorrow over his passing.
He extended condolences to Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the people of Kwara, Adebayo’s family, and political associates.
The Emir prayed for the repose of the late leader’s soul and strength for the bereaved family.
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