Senator Kola Balogun has described the death of a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Ademola Olusegun Popoola, as a huge loss to humanity.
Hon. Popoola, who was until his demise a member of the state legislature representing Ibadan South-East Constituency II, reportedly died earlier in the day of a kidney-related ailment.
Reacting to the sudden passing of the lawmaker, Senator Balogun, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, said it was shocking, sad, and painful.
The senator, in a condolence message to the family, members of the state legislature, and constituents of the deceased, described the lawmaker as a man whose sense of service to humanity stretched beyond party affiliation.
He said the death of Honourable Popoola was not just a big loss to the political circle in the state but also to his constituents and the people of Oyo State in general.
Senator Balogun said the death of the state lawmaker was particularly more painful, given that he died at the very tender age of 46 years.
“It is with sadness that I received the news of the sudden and painful death of Honourable Ademola Popoola. For me, his demise is, indeed, very shocking and quite unexpected.
“I personally felt a huge sense of loss hearing of the demise of the young man. Sadly, we lost a good man who died at his prime.
“He was a man who was genuinely interested in the welfare of the people of Oyo State, and this he demonstrated in so many ways when he was alive.
I can particularly recollect the role he played when officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) carted away bags of rice, other goods, and money during the midnight invasions of Bodija and Oja’ba Markets in Ibadan.
“Honourable Popoola was in all the places monitoring my interventions and activities to seek a redemption for the affected traders in the infamous and illegal activities of the NCS operatives.
“Demonstrating the humane nature in him, which transcends political loyalty, the late lawmaker was always in constant touch with me, even after I had left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Indeed, his death is a painful loss. Many people in Oyo State will surely miss the gentlemanliness personified by the late Honourable Ademola Popoola.
“It is also sad that the people of the state and humanity will surely miss the humanity in him, particularly having secured a second-term ticket.
“His death is painful and sad, but what can we do? God giveth and taketh. My heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of Honourable Ademola Popoola. May his soul rest in peace.
“I and my wife, Mrs Gbonjubola Kola-Balogun, and I also sympathise with his colleagues in the Oyo State House of Assembly, his people in Ibadan South-East Constituency II and the entire people of Oyo State.
“May God Almighty console and comfort his immediate family and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Senator Kola Balogun stated in the message.
