23rd April, 2017
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, has described the death of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke on Sunday, as a shock.
He said Adeleke, who died at 62, as a result of illness, was a vibrant and charismatic lawmaker, who lived an exemplary life.
Tejuoso said the deceased contributed immensely to the growth of the National Assembly.
“It is shocking. He was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market and he was active in ensuring that there was no problem in the Capital Market.
“He organised a summit recently on the Capital Market and it was a success. He was an achiever; we are going to miss him greatly,’’ he said.
The lawmaker prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest, and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
In his reaction, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC- Oyo) recalled that the deceased was in good health when the National Assembly adjourned for the Easter break.
While praying God to accept his soul, the lawmaker said that late Adeleke was a model to other lawmakers, particularly the new ones.
He said, “it is a sad one; that is life, we come from God and to Him we shall return.
“He was one of the finest senators and one of the gentlemen I have ever met.
“He was also easy going, a friend to everybody and he guided some of us who are new in the National Assembly on how to be productive. Unfortunately we will no longer enjoy from his wealth of experience.’’
The lawmaker pointed out that the demise of the former governor of Osun would create a vacuum in the National Assembly, particularly the Senate.
“Every lawmaker plays a unique role in ensuring that the legislature contributes meaningfully to the development of the nation.
“Adeleke equally played his role before his call back to his creator.
“His death will create a wide gap. He was one of the most senior persons in the senate. He was in the 7th Assembly and he came back to the 8th Assembly.
“Nigerians will miss him, particularly his constituents. From reports, he died in his constituency, where he went for the Easter holiday to reach out to his people,’’ he said.
On his part, Sen. Duro Faseyi (PDP-Ekiti), described the late senator as a humble man, who was close to all lawmakers irrespective of party membership.
“It is a shock to all of us because we left the chamber together and he was hale and hearty. It is really a bad day for us.
“He was one of those we respect in the chamber, a humble and lovely person. He was nice to everybody. It is a pity we lost him, and his death came at a time Nigeria needed him most,’’ he said.
Faseyi added that while alive, Adeleke contributed his quota to the progress and development of the country, saying “I am not happy about it at all.’’
Late Adeleke, serving two-term senator, was first civilian governor of Osun in 1992.
He became a senator, representing Osun West constituency in 2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He lost in 2011 when he sought re-election.
He was, however, re-elected in 2015, but on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).