President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, senators and friends yesterday paid tributes to the late Sen. Ayodeji Otegbola, celebrating his life and legacy as “a life well lived, a legacy of love.”
Sen. Otegbola, who represented Ogun West in the Third Republic Senate, was Chairman of the Federal Housing Authority and ex-Ogun PDP chairman.
He passed away on February 15, at the age of 92.
In a tribute signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the late senator as “one of Nigeria’s most distinguished statesmen.”
“He was a respected legislator and a patriarch whose influence spanned generations.
“Nigeria has lost a patriot, the Awori nation has lost a guiding light, and I have lost a noble elder whose life embodied sacrifice,” the President said.
Governor Abiodun described Senator Otegbola as a distinguished politician and a patriotic Nigerian, who dedicated his life to public service, the development of Ogun State and Nigeria.
He made the remarks at the funeral service of the late Senator Otegbola, held at the African Church St. Paul’s Cathedral, Lagos East Diocese, Ilupeju, Lagos State.
Prince Abiodun said the deceased made impactful contributions to the development of the country as a senator and as a former chairman of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
He said: “He was a man of impeccable character, a distinguished politician and a patriotic Nigerian, who dedicated his life to public service and the development of our dear state and nation at large. His contributions as a senator in the Third Republic and as a former chairman of Federal Housing Authority were marked by diligence and unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people.”
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The governor noted that as a trailblazer in the field of Estate Surveying and Valuation, the late Otegbola played a significant role in shaping the real estate sector of the nation’s economy by mentoring young professionals and leaving a lasting impact on the industry’s landscape.
Former President Obasanjo, represented by his wife, Bola, described the deceased as one of the eminent sons of Nigeria, who did his best towards the reconstruction of the nation’s political system, which led to the consolidation of democratic institutions in the country.
Otegbola, Obasanjo said, left a positive and remarkable mark in every facet of life he ventured into, which attracted honours in the nation, the church, the business community, traditional institutions, as well as professional and social organisations, adding that his record would remain a challenge for generations to emulate.
In his sermon, Primate Julius Abbe described the deceased as a lover of God and humanity through his services, noting that as a Senator of the Federal Republic, he contributed to the socio-economic and political development of the country.
According to the cleric, Pa Otegbola was a compassionate man who dedicated his life to serve his people and the church, hence the titles of Asiwaju of Aworiland and Baba Ijo of St Paul’s Cathedral, Ilupeju, bestowed on him by his community and the church.
He urged the people to live a life of service to God and humanity so as to be remembered, saying positions and influence amount to nothing if not used to uplift the people and build bridges of trust and friendship across different divides.