Oyo State Acting Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, has declared that the national flag should be flown at half-mast in the state for seven days in honour of the former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Michael Koleoso, who passed on peacefully on Monday aged 86.
The Acting Governor gave the directive on Tuesday when he led a top government delegation to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late former National Chairman of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) in his Akobo Ibadan home.
The Acting Governor paid glowing tributes to the late Chief Koleoso, who until his death was the Babalaje of Saki, describing him as an astute politician, a reservoir of knowledge for all politicians and a patriot.
He added that the late political icon contributed immensely to the development and growth of Nigeria, Oyo State, his immediate town and constituency, Saki, in Oke Ogun zone of the state.
Lawal maintained that the state government would give Chief Koleoso a befitting burial, noting that he would be remembered as a progressive who always stood for the truth and devoted himself to championing fairness and equity for all, irrespective of their political parties.
The Acting Governor stressed that Chief Koleoso during his lifetime was a strong supporter of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, noting that his death should reunite all politicians irrespective of political or religious leaning.
Responding on behalf of the immediate family, the first daughter of the deceased, Mrs Yemisi Baiki, thanked the state governor for his show of love and care for their father during his lifetime.
She described his death as a big loss to everyone.
Special prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of the late political icon by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Sanni.
On the entourage of the Acting Governor were former deputy governors, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi and Barr. Iyiola Oladokun; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; Commissioners and other political stalwarts in the state.
