By Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ex-Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a chieftain of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Mr. Ayo Opadokun and others have paid tributes to the eldest daughter of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s daughter, Mrs. Tola Oyediran.

Mrs Oyediran died at home with her husband and children by her side.

Aregbesola said the deceased was a woman of deep faith in God and genuine love for people.

He said: “Mrs. Oyediran was graceful but humble. A big fish has indeed left the ocean.

“Death, having come at the nick of 80 years of the solar cycle, we must commiserate with all who are bound to sorely miss her. Her husband, Prof. Olukayode Oyediran and their children; Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu; the entire Awolowo family and the progressives of the West and social democrats of Nigeria. May God comfort and imbue all with fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“May she wake up to joyful activities in the next station, Aamin.”

Oyinlola said: “We give glory to the Almighty for a life of service to God and humanity, which you lived.”

Opadokun described the deceased as “a wonderful scion of the noble Chief Obafemi Awolowo family.

Read Also: Tributes as Oyediran, Awolowo’s eldest daughter, dies at 79

“As the first daughter, she was an embodiment of humility, respectability and other virtues the family represents.

“I was very close to her and we shared a lot of things together. I will surely miss her counselling. It is one thing for you to be given birth to by good parents; it is another thing for you to rebuild yourself to meet up with the reputation of such parentage. She was able to do that successfully,” he said.

A former Minister of Industry, Mrs. Nike Akande and the Eze Ndi Igbo of Ibadan, Dr. Alex Anozie yesterday paid a condolence visit to the family. They described the late Oyediran as an epitome of humility and hard work, whose virtues should be emulated by Nigerians.

Other dignitaries who paid condolence visit to the deceased family included the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, Prof. Soji Adejumo and a former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Tribune titles, Rev. Sam Adesua.