Stalwarts of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN have sent messages of condolence and tributes for the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka, who passed way yesterday.
The national leader of the ACN, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his message said “the death of Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka the deputy governor of Ekiti State is a devastating loss to the family, the government and people of Ekiti State and the Action congress of Nigeria family”.
“The sudden demise of Ekiti deputy governor Funmilayo Olayinka is a big blow and comes at a time when she is most needed to play a vital role in the transformation of Ekiti. She rose like a meteor and brought compassion and grace to the exalted office of the deputy governor. She was a leading light amongst women of her generation and creed. Alongside the people of Ekiti, I share in the sudden and painful loss of this great daughter of oduduwa and rising star, Mrs. Olayinka,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by his media adviser, Sunday Dare.
Tinubu also wrote a personal letter to Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi and the people of Ekiti State, where he prayed for solace for her family and Ekiti sons and daughters through the trying period. He also encouraged Dr. Kayode Fayemi to be strong and remain undeterred in the great task of fully developing Ekiti State which he started with his departed deputy.
“Her painful death sadly reminds us of the parlous state of our health care system in Nigeria. The lives of millions of our men and women are in jeopardy as they suffer under the disease of cancer without early detection and adequate treatment. A national cancer center of international center needs to be established with proper funding and subsidized cost for testing and treatment”. Nigerians must continue the struggle against cancer and hold out their candles for all that have died and those suffering from this terrible disease and by so doing we will get government doing something and keep hope alive,” Tinubu further stated.
Presidential candidate of the ACN in the 2011 election, Nuhu Ribadu also said in his condolence message; “I am in shock, and deeply saddened, at the news of the death of the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.
“This is undoubtedly a big blow to the wonderful people of Ekiti State, whose quest for a progressive agenda for development found a passionate missioner in her person. It needs no retelling that the nation as a whole, and the women community in particular, lost, in this sad passage, an eloquent voice for democracy, for inclusion, and for purpose in governance.
“I understand, as indeed our nation does, that the deepest pain from this loss is from her family, and I join all well wishers to condole with her husband and children, sharing with them the prayers of consolation, and urging them to be fully enriched by her legacy of service, love of humanity, and vision of a better community.
“My prayers also include a calming and guiding hand of the Lord to support my friend and brother, Governor Kayode Fayemi, as he bears this loss, and as he enthuses citizens of the state to value the fact that when people are in the Lord, as Mrs. Olayinka was, their passage is to the bosom of the lord.”
In his message, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun also expressed his shock and disbelief at the news of Mrs Olufunmilayo Olayinka’s death.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Mrs Funmi Wakama, Amosun described Olayinka’s death as lamentable and a great loss to the government and people of Ekiti.
The statement read in part: “She was a committed member of the Action Congress of Nigeria who contributed immensely to the development of Ekiti State.
“She was also an embodiment of humility and selfless service. She will be sorely missed.”
