President Muhammadu Buhari led the way yesterday in the payment of tributes to former military governor of Oyo State, Brig-Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd).
Olurin, 76, died earlier in the day of an undisclosed illness at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos.
Tributes to the former ECOMOG Commander and one-time Administrator of Ekiti State also came from Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Sryi Makinde (Oyo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) as well as former Senate President David Mark, a former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West).
Buhari, in a condolence message, recalled Olurin’s times and activities as the military governor of old Oyo State and later administrator of Ekiti State, as well as Commander of the ECOMOG forces in Liberia.
The deceased, he said, “served the country meritoriously in his career, extending support when he was called upon as military Governor in Oyo State and later as Administrator in Ekiti State. He also was outstanding as ECOMOG Commander in Liberia.”
Buhari particularly hailed Olurin’s efforts in community development, especially in his state, Ogun, “willingly putting his experience and knowledge at the service of various governments.”
He prayed that God might grant the departed eternal rest and comfort his family.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State expressed shock over Olurin, describing him as a gallant military officer, astute administrator and an illustrious son of the state.
Abiodun said the demise of “one of Nigeria’s finest military officers is a painful loss to our state and the country.”
He said Olurin would continue to be remembered for “his meritorious service to his fatherland as well as statesmanship.”
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi called Olurin’s death “a great loss to Nigeria, Ogun State, his home state and Ekiti, which he helped stabilise during the six-month emergency rule (October 19, 2006 and April 27, 2007).
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He described the late general as a selfless statesman, courageous soldier and an altruistic patriot who served his country diligently while in active service and during his retirement.
He noted that the deceased discharged his duties as the Sole Administrator of Ekiti State with a great measure of fairness and firmness, and left some legacies he would be remembered for in the annals of the history of the Land of Honour.
He said although the late Gen. Olurin was a soldier, he was a man of the people who was very much concerned about their welfare and ever ready to solve problems brought to his attention.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said Olurin was “one of the past administrators who shaped our great state.”
He added: “It is sunset for another great man and one of the first set of leaders that providence gave to Oyo State at its earliest stage.
“Through the efforts and contributions of Gen. Olurin and other leaders, the foundation for the shaping of the Pacesetter State, which has become a first among equals, was successfully laid.
“General Olurin’s death at this time when his wealth of experience in leadership can be of immense help to the current crop of leaders is painful.
“But since the Holy Bible reckons that man has been given 70 years and he lived beyond the granted three scores and ten, we can only celebrate the good life General Olurin lived and the great contributions he made to our dear state.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State described the late Olurin as a committed officer and elder statesman who served his country passionately.
The governor also praised Olurin’s contribution to governance in Oyo and Ekiti states during his tenure as military governor and sole administrator in the two states respectively.
He also commiserated with Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the entire people of Ogun State, especially the indigenes of Ilaro, on the demise of their illustrious son.
Sanwo-Olu said Olurin was a committed military officer who fought, along with several other patriots, tirelessly for a united Nigeria as well as ECOMOG during his days in the Nigerian Army.
A former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) and a frontline politician on Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Isiaka said the death of Olurin was a big loss to Ogun State and Nigeria.
Daniel, in a statement, said Olurin was an eminent statesman and a disciplined officer who served Nigeria and Ogun with grace and candour.
He cited “his (Olurin’s) sound support towards our move to render our services to Ogun in 2003. Indeed, he was one of the earliest persons consulted and he gave us his support.
“Olurin faithfully served as the founding Chancellor of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) during my administration.
“His passing on has left a huge vacuum at a time when our nation needs more leaders of thought to help navigate the present challenges,” he said.
Senator Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said Olurin was “a true patriot and nationalist who sacrificed much not only for the unity of Nigeria but peace and security in the West African sub-region and the African continent.
“His expertise in security and administration will be sorely missed,” he said, while Prince Gboyega Isiaka described the death of Olurin as “the loss of a great icon”.
Isiaka, who was the governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2019 polls in Ogun, stated that Olurin dedicated his life to the service of humanity.
He said Olurin “was a consummate military officer whose intervention in crucial national assignments left indelible footprints on the sands of time.
“He was also a seasoned administrator who did creditably well when called to serve as a military governor and later in life as a sole administrator.”
Former Senate President David Mark said the death of Olurin has robbed him of a brother, colleague, course mate and comrade in arms.
The duo was course mates at the 3rd Regular Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) between 1967 and 1970.
Mark said the deceased was a dependable, reliable and extraordinary officer who distinguished himself meritoriously in service to man and country.
He described Olurin as one of the best and fertile minds ever produced by the Nigerian Army, saying: “ In all the commands and formations he served, including Field Commander, Economic Community of West African Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Peace Keeping Force in Liberia, between 1992 and 1993 and other foreign services, Olurin left a legacy of excellence.
” He was a patriotic officer who believed in the sanctity of peace and unity of the country.
“He craved for an egalitarian society where justice, equity and fairness is the norm.
“I was looking forward to our (NDA Course 3 Alumni Association) Annual General Meeting billed for Ado Ekiti, Ekiti in September, only to be confronted with the news of his death.
“His departure at this time is sad and painful.”
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Breaking the news of the death of the general in a statement yesterday on behalf of the family, Mr, Babatunde Olurin said: “It is with a deep sense of loss but gratitude to Almighty God for a life well lived that we announce the passing of Brigadier General Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd).
“He passed away on the 20th of August 2021 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital after a brief illness.
“In 27 years of service to the Nigerian Army, General Olurin served as the military governor of Oyo State, the General Officer Commanding the Three Armoured Division and the ECOMOG field commander in Liberia. He also served as the sole administrator of Ekiti State and was a governorship candidate in the 2011 Ogun State gubernatorial elections.
“General Olurin is survived by his wife Mrs Kehinde Olurin, two sons Babatunde and Olumide Olurin, daughter-in-law Fehintola Olurin and grandson Demilade Olurin. Burial arrangements to be announced soon.”
Olurin was appointed as Sole Administrator of Ekiti State for six months between October 19, 2006 and April 27, 2007 during the state of emergency imposed by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in the wake of political crisis that engulfed the state at the time.
He was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State in the 2011 election.
His running mate in that election, Tunde Oladunjoye, said he was privileged to be Olurin’s right hand man at the polls.
His words: “As a political leader and mentor, I knew him to be a strict disciplinarian, modest-living, courageous, good listener and a strategist with profound foresight.”
Olurin was a recipient of many honours including the United Nations Peace Medal and the Knight Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption (KCHOAR), Liberia’s highest national honour award, as well as an honorary Paramount Chief of the Republic of Liberia.
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