By Gbenga Ojikutu
The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has lauded the former State Chairman of the defunct Alliance for Democracy, Chief George Akosile, branding him as a committed and patriotic Ekiti man, who fought for the liberation and development of the state.
Akosile, a retired Permanent Secretary and respectable politician, died on 15th June, 2023 during a brief illness at his Igbara-Odo Ekiti countryhome.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, at The Commendation Service held in Akosile’s honour, Oyebanji described the deceased as a man of dream and passion for the state, who prioritised Ekiti’s development as the Chairman of AD at the advent of democracy in 1999.
Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye, stated that Akosile had a flourishing and impeccable records as a career Civil Servant in the Old Ondo State, where he rose meteorically to the pinnacle of his career as a Permanent Secretary that superintended over pivotal Ministries.
From the political turf, the Governor added that Akosile as the Chairman of AD provided the much needed leadership, which attracted heavyweight politicians and the masses into the party, which eventually led to its success in the 1999 gubernatorial election.
“Chief Akosile was a great leader par excellence. He served as a Special Adviser to former Governor Kayode Fayemi between 2010 and 2012 in the State and was known to be a man of humility, honesty and transparency.
“He was one of the foot-soldiers that fought relentlessly alongside other leaders to bring the state back to the progressive fold in 2010 after a long battle in various hierarchies of courts.
“The people of Ekiti State will miss his passion for the development of Ekiti in all facets and how he dedicated himself as a dependable ally in the project Ekiti. May his soul rest in the bosom of the lord”.
Speaking while delivering his sermon at the commendation service, a cleric, Ven. Bode Otenaike, tasked the government to contrive ways of investing in the lives of the citizens to reduce the cankerworm of poverty in line with Akosile’s and other progressive leaders’ vision for the state.
Quoting from the book of Luke Chapter 19 verse 13, Otenaike stated that based on the political belief and trajectory of the deceased, that making Ekiti a state of prosperity was what he stood for, saying the current government must embrace this and work towards its realisation.
Akosile, who was the Asiwaju of Igbara-Odo Ekiti, was appointed Chairman of the Political Appointment Committee by Governor Oyebanji in March 2023.
The committee was saddled with the responsibility to work for the nominations across all the 16 local government of qualified men and women as commissioners and Special Advisers into the cabinet.
He was also the Chairman of the APC Elders’ Forum from 2009 till he breathed his last on June 15, 2023.
