…Jonathan, Oyebanji, Fayemi, Igali, others bid ex-minister farewell
…remains interred in Lagos amid eulogies
To immortalise the memory of the Navy Captain Caleb Omoniyi Olubolade (rtd), the Bayelsa State Government at the weekend renamed its Civil Service Staff quarters after him.
The pronouncement was made by Governor Douye Diri, at the service of songs for the late three-time Minister and former Military Administrator (MILAD) of Bayelsa State, which held at the St John’s Protestant Church, Bonny Cantonment, Victoria Island.
The Nation reports that Captain Olubolade, who died in May while playing Tennis in Apapa, was the third MILAD of Bayelsa State and the civil service quarters was built by his administration.
Captain Olubolade who joined active politics after his retirement from the military, was appointed federal Minister three times- Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Special Duties, and Police Affairs.
His body, locked inside a chocolate brown casket with the Nigerian flag draped on it and carefully handled by pallbearers comprising Naval officers, was interred at the Vaults and Gardens in Ikoyi on Saturday afternoon.
Following his remarkable performance as MILAD and his close ties with the state decades afterwards, Bayelsa honoured him with a state burial as Diri, members of the state executive council; lawmakers from the State House of Assembly all attended the funeral rites in Lagos.
Speaking at the ceremonies, Governor Diri described Olubolade as an example of a true Nigerian who embodied unity, service, integrity and patriotism.
He recalled how the deceased officer saved many protesting youths from untimely death by exercising restraint even in the face of massive confrontation when the agitators moved into the government house to free a detained militant.
“When I asked him why he did nothing despite being a military officer under a military regime, his response was that I did not want to waste innocent blood of my people. That’s the kind of man Captain Olubolade was. Despite being from Ekiti State, he loved and identified with us, we consider him our own very father and son of the Nigerian Delta and that is why for us, this is a state burial,” said Diri.
The governor also recalled how the late MILAD built key infrastructure, including the Samson Siasia Stadium, the state’s first civil servants’ quarters, a functional motor park, and several internal roads.
Diri described him as a charismatic, forthright leader who served with dignity, passion, and humanity, often returning to Yenagoa after leaving office and even celebrating his 70th birthday there.
He pledged to honour all private agreements he had with Captain Olubolade to his family, praying God to console them during their grieving moment.
Speaking at the funeral service on Saturday, Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, urged Olubolade’s family to take solace in the exemplary life their patriarch lived, adding that his legacy should make his children proud.
The governor encouraged the bereaved to read the many tributes written about Olubolade, noting that they highlight the values and achievements of “the kind of man God gave you as a father.”
He appreciated Bayelsa State Government for honouring the memory of Olubolade, describing him as “one of our very best” whose service to the nation would remain an inspiration.
In his tribute, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by his wife, Dame Patience, described Olubolade as a dedicated public servant whose contributions to governance, business, and community development were indelible.
Jonathan recalled his impactful roles in various capacities, noting that his work left “unsurpassable marks everywhere we went.”
The former President said the outpouring of respect and attendance at the funeral was a testament to Olubolade’s influence and the lives he touched.
Jonathan emphasised that his passing was a reminder of the transient nature of life and the need to continue building peace and progress in society.
He prayed for God’s comfort for the bereaved family and called on Nigerians to honour Olubolade’s memory by upholding the values of service, unity, and dedication to the common good.
In the same vein, Olubolade’s good friends for over 50 years, Rear Admirals John Jonah Rotimi Ademoletin (rtd) paid glowing tributes to the “man of many parts”, narrating how their parts crossed and his sterling qualities, virtues.
Ademoletin recalled how their bon started when they both got some sort of scholarship from the Western region to go to the Nigerian Defence Academy.
“We became like brothers and remained inseparable throughout our careers,” he said.
He recounted how Olubolade persuaded him to abandon his medical studies to join the 16th Regular Course at the NDA, an advice that shaped his naval career.
“In military school, we were both hockey players, often found in each other’s rooms despite being in different houses. We spent holidays together and shared many family milestones,” Ademoletin said.
He praised Olubolade as a determined, no-nonsense officer who excelled at whatever he set out to achieve, describing the late officer as “a man who lived a purposeful life and set a worthy example.”
Jonah in his tributes, recounted how Olubolade taught him to drive in India, confidently pushing him onto the road at 100km/h within an hour of practice.
According to him, it was a moment that marked the beginning of their enduring friendship and mutual respect.
Jonah praised Olubolade’s leadership and problem-solving skills, recalling how, as MILAD, Olubolade called on him to oversee the transfer of boats from Port Harcourt during the asset-sharing exercise with Rivers State.
That task, Jonah said, taught him lessons that shaped his Naval career and opened his eyes to the limitless possibilities of the Nigerian environment, where even small workshops could deliver remarkable engineering solutions.
The retired Admiral said his late friend was humorous, approachable, and deeply committed to service.
He fondly remembered staying at Olubolade’s home in Aguda so they could share jokes, and expressed comfort in the belief that while they were saying goodbye for now, it was never goodbye forever.
“He was a friend, a brother, and a good man. We will miss him dearly,” added Jonah.
Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Godknows Igili, said Olubolade was a nobleman whose death came at a time he was most needed.
Igili described Olubolade as a man of many callings – sailor, politician and administrator- whose stern leadership,doggedness and warm nature would always be remembered.
While proudly Yoruba, PANDEF noted, he was also an “Ijaw man in spirit,” maintaining unwavering love and support for the people of Bayelsa State.
Other dignitaries at the funeral rites included former Ekiti Governors, Adeniyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi; former Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba; a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George; Hydrographer of the federation, Rear Admiral Ayodeji Olugbode; who represented the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Michael Oamen, Chief of Training and Operations (CTOPs), Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, and former FOC Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral S. Akinwande.
