Jonathan, Amosun Send Condolence Messages To Soyinka Over Daughter’s Death

Wole Soyinka with daughter, Iyetade
Wole Soyinka with daughter, Iyetade

President Goodluck Jonathan, Monday, condoled with the family of Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, over the death of his daughter, Iyetade, describing her demise as unfortunate.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan said: “On behalf of himself and the federal government, President Goodluck Jonathan extends sincere condolences to Prof. Wole Soyinka and other members of the Soyinka family on the death of the Nobel laureate’s daughter, Iyetade at the age of 48.”

Jonathan prayed that God Almighty will comfort the Nobel Laureate and all others who mourn his late daughter.

He also urged them to take solace in the belief that Iyetade had gone away from all earthly troubles to rest for eternity in the bosom of the Lord.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, also commiserated with Soyinka, stating that his daughter’s death was most regrettable.

In a press release signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, Amosun said: “It is most unfortunate that the cold hands of death has snatched away Dr. Iyetade Soyinka, at the prime of her life, when her knowledge and expertise would have been invaluable to her immediate family and the society at large.

“Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Professor Wole Soyinka and his family at this trying period, although we know that only God can comfort him,” the governor said.

Amosun also extended his heartfelt condolences to the mother, children and other family members of the deceased, just as he prayed to almighty God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The death of Iyetade, who died after a brief illness at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan was, yesterday, formally announced by the Soyinka family.

“She took ill quite suddenly and passed away while being treated at UCH, Ibadan. Affable, intelligent and sometimes capricious, who struggled with her health in recent years. In spite of this, she greeted every day with a smile and doted on her two children,” the family statement read in part.

Born on June 6, 1965 in Ibadan, Iyetade attended University of Ibadan Staff School and Queens School, Ibadan before studying Medicine at the University of Ibadan (UI).

She was survived by two children, both parents, numerous siblings, nieces and nephews.