Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday, abruptly ended the 2022 Inter-faith Prayer Service organised by the Oyo State Civil Service, following the receipt of the news of the death of a former Governor of the State, Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.
This is just as the governor directed that flags in the state be flown half-mast in honour of former governor.
REPORTERS AT LARGE earlier reported that former Governor Alao-Akala died in the early hours of Wednesday (today) at the age of 71.
Though details of the circumstances surrounding his death are sketchy as at press time, Akala was said to have died in his sleep on Wednesday morning.
Makinde, who called for a minute silence for the former Governor, who also served as Deputy Governor of the State between 2003 and 2007, prayed to God to grant repose to his soul.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Governor Makinde, who was attending the annual Inter-faith Service held to mark the commencement of the New Year, did not read the speech he prepared for the event.
He condoled with the immediate family members of the former Governor, his political associates and all residents of the State whose paths have crossed with Chief Alao-Akala.
He said: “I am here with the speech prepared for this event but I have just been informed about the death of former Governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo-Akala.
“I pray that God grant his loved ones and all his well-wishers the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
The directive directed that flags in the state be flown half-mast was expressed on Makinde’s Instagram page.
In the message, the Oyo governor wrote: “I join the good people of Oyo State to mourn the passing of a former Governor of our dear state, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, which sad event took place today. May his soul rest in peace and may God grant his family the fortitude to bear this great loss.
“I have directed that flags fly at half-mast in honour of Governor Alao-Akala, our brother, friend and illustrious son of Oyo State.
“His Excellency will be remembered for his contributions to the development of Oyo State as Governor, especially for taking infrastructural development to other zones of the state outside Ibadan.”
