Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, expressed his sorrow on Tuesday over the passing of a former Minister of Labour and Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria PLC, Ajibola Afonja.
Governor Makinde hailed Afonja as a distinguished figure from the state, noting his role in representing and elevating the status of the Pacesetter State as a commendable ambassador.
Afonja passed away on Sunday night at the age of 82 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, the state capital.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Suleiman Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, Governor Makinde described Afonja’s demise as deeply shocking. He extended his condolences to Afonja’s immediate family, the people of Oyo town, and the state at large.
Governor Makinde offered prayers for the departed soul of Afonja and beseeched God to provide solace to his family and the community he served.
The governor said, “I received the news of the death of a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Afonja, with shock and sadness.
“I condole with the Afonja family of Oyo, the people of Oyo and all residents of Oyo State on the passage of such an illustrious son of the state.
“Afonja was a great ambassador of this state, who promoted the state and made immense contributions to its growth. It is my prayer that God grants repose to his soul and grant him Aljana Firdausi.”
