Adeniji-Adele Was A Consummate Democrat, Says Saraki
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Nigeria Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Friday expressed grief over the demise of a former Lagos State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele and said he was a consummate democrat.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Government and people of Lagos State over the irreparable loss.
He described the former Chairman of Lagos Island Council as a grassroots politician and social democrat.
Saraki said: “The news of the passing on of the ‘Prince of Hope’ as late Adeniji-Adele was fondly called came to me with rude shock. He was a man of the people. It is worthy to note that despite his privileged background as a Prince by birth, he mixed freely with all irrespective of status or class.
“Adeniji-Adele was a pro-democracy activist and social crusader par excellence who was detained by the military as a result of his fight to enthrone Democracy in the country.
“He was a great mind who held the welfare of the ordinary people in society very dear – a reason he floated the Lagos Island Education Trust Fund to empower the children of the poor through access to qualitative education.
“His sudden demise at 60 has left a huge vacuum in the politics of Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general which will be difficult to fill anytime soon,” he stated.
He called on the family of the deceased and his associates to take solace in the fact that he lived a great and exemplary life. Saraki further prayed to God to grant the departed soul eternal peace.